Multi-Technique Characterization of Cartonnage and Linen Samples of an Egyptian Mummy from the Roman Period

The historical and cultural significance of artistic works and archaeological artifacts underscores the imperative use of non-destructive testing methods in cultural heritage objects. Analyzing pigments in artwork poses a specific analytical challenge that demands a combination of various techniques...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Quantum beam science 2024-09, Vol.8 (3), p.22
Main Authors: Sanches, Francis, Franzi, Isis, Cavalcante, Josiane, Borges, Roberta, de Paula, Anderson, Machado, Alessandra, Nardes, Raysa, Santos, Ramon, Gama Filho, Hamilton, Freitas, Renato, Assis, Joaquim, Anjos, Marcelino, Lopes, Ricardo, Oliveira, Davi
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Archaeology
Art works
Artifact identification
Chemical composition
Cultural heritage
Cultural resources
Diffraction
Egyptian civilization
Egyptian mummy
Egyptology
Fourier transforms
Fragments
Historic artifacts
Infrared analysis
Infrared spectroscopy
Linen
Methods
Mummies
non-destructive techniques
Nondestructive testing
Optical microscopy
Pigments
pigments analysis
Radiation
Raman spectroscopy
Sarcophagi
Sensors
Spectrum analysis
Tornadoes
X ray microtomography
X-rays
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Summary:The historical and cultural significance of artistic works and archaeological artifacts underscores the imperative use of non-destructive testing methods in cultural heritage objects. Analyzing pigments in artwork poses a specific analytical challenge that demands a combination of various techniques to accurately determine chemical compositions. In this context, our work focused on the multi-analytical characterization of samples derived from fragments of a Roman-era Egyptian mummy named Kherima, dating back to around 200 AD. To identify the layers and elemental composition of the pigments used in the decoration, various techniques were employed: X-ray microfluorescence (µXRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), high-resolution optical microscopy (OM), and X-ray computed microtomography (microCT). This multi-analytical approach facilitated the identification of the original pigments in the analyzed mummy fragments, along with insights into the materials used in the ground layer and the techniques applied in artifact manufacturing, indicating their accordance with the historical period and region to which they originally belonged.
ISSN:2412-382X
2412-382X
DOI:10.3390/qubs8030022