Portable X-ray Fluorescence Analysis of Levantine and Schematic Art Pigments from the River Vero Shelters (Huesca, NE Spain)

Researchers have uncovered significant insights into the pigments used in prehistoric cave paintings within the UNESCO-listed 'Rock Art of the Mediterranean Basin on the Iberian Peninsula.' Using portable X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (pXRF), a non-destructive and multi-elemental analysis technique, they examined eight rock shelters in the River Vero canyon, Huesca, Spain. The study revealed that red pigments, primarily based on iron minerals, were the most prevalent across all shelters, with varying iron contents suggesting differences in conservation states. Black pigments, lacking manganese, were linked to bone char or carbon black, while phosphorus content indicated the use of bone phosphates as a filler or binder. Additionally, gypsum detected was determined to be of external origin, likely from atmospheric dust. This pXRF analysis provides a foundation for future characterization studies involving other portable chemical techniques.

Martín-Ramos, P., Cuchí-Oterino, J. A., & Bea-Martínez, M. (2023). Portable X-ray Fluorescence Analysis of Levantine and Schematic Art Pigments from the River Vero Shelters (Huesca, NE Spain). Heritage, 6(4), 3789–3800. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage6040201