Pigments for the dead: megalithic scenarios in southern Europe

Engravings are the main decorations found on European megaliths, whilst pigments were known only on dolmens along the northern coast of Portugal. This paper collects data from a multidisciplinary archaeological programme aimed at searching for remnants of paint on ancient European megaliths. By deve...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Archaeological and anthropological sciences 2023-10, Vol.15 (10), p.148, Article 148
Main Authors: Bueno Ramírez, Primitiva, Barroso Bermejo, Rosa, de Balbín Behrmann, Rodrigo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anthropology
Archaeology
Artisans
Chemistry/Food Science
Decoration
Diachronic analysis
Earth and Environmental Science
Earth Sciences
Engraving
Geography
Interdisciplinary aspects
Life Sciences
Monuments
Organic matter
Petroglyphs
Pigments
Prehistoric era
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Summary:Engravings are the main decorations found on European megaliths, whilst pigments were known only on dolmens along the northern coast of Portugal. This paper collects data from a multidisciplinary archaeological programme aimed at searching for remnants of paint on ancient European megaliths. By developing protocols to detect these paintings on both Iberian megaliths and examples in other European areas, we were able to determine the composition of the pigments. C14 dates were also obtained where organic matter was present. Paintings, engravings, and bas-reliefs on the walls in funerary contexts, either close to the burials or at the tomb entrance, are part of the symbolic construction of these megalithic structures. Despite issues of poor conservation, pigments can potentially complete and enrich engraved motifs. By identifying new painted decoration, it may be possible to directly date the use and continued maintenance of these megaliths, to reveal the colours applied, to provide insights into the skill of the artisans, and thus a fresh approach to the study of the societies that built these monuments.
ISSN:1866-9557
1866-9565
DOI:10.1007/s12520-023-01850-0