Archeometrical Characterization of Rock Art Pigments from Puerto Roque Open-Air Rock Art Shelter (Valencia De Alcantara, Extremadura, Spain)

A comprehensive archeometrical analysis of rock art pigments from the Puerto Roque Open-Air Rock Art Shelter in Spain reveals distinct red pigment compositions, including hematite and goethite, with potential heating processes enhancing coloration. The study employed Raman microspectroscopy, X-ray microfluorescence (EDxrf), Fourier-transform Infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to analyze 19 samples, uncovering unique pigment characteristics that provide insights into prehistoric artistic techniques and technological sophistication. These findings contribute significantly to the conservation of rock art sites by informing sustainable preservation strategies tailored to local microclimates.

Gomes, H., Collado, H., Garcês, S., Lattao, V., Nicoli, M., Eftekhari, N., Marrocchino, E., & Rosina, P. (2024). Archeometrical Characterization of Rock Art Pigments from Puerto Roque Open-Air Rock Art Shelter (Valencia De Alcantara, Extremadura, Spain). Heritage, 7(3), 1123–1139. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage7030053