The Finishing Technique of the Stone Monuments of Persepolis: Further Studies and New Findings Through the Use of Non‐Destructive Analytical Techniques

A new study confirms that Achaemenid builders and sculptors at Persepolis used fluorapatite, derived from burning animal bones, to create a white pigment layer on stone monuments. This technique was employed specifically during the Xerxes period or later, while earlier monuments used gypsum for the same purpose. The research, part of the 'From Palace to Town' project, utilized non-destructive techniques like X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry and principal component analysis (PCA) on a larger sample set to validate previous findings. This discovery sheds light on the advanced finishing techniques employed in ancient Persian architecture.

Ridolfi, S., Laurenzi Tabasso, M., Askari Chaverdi, A., & Callieri, P. (2018). The Finishing Technique of the Stone Monuments of Persepolis: Further Studies and New Findings Through the Use of Non‐Destructive Analytical Techniques. Archaeometry, 61(2), 272–281. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/arcm.12417