Characterization of Waxes in the Roman Wall Paintings of the Herculaneum Site (Italy)

Scientists have uncovered evidence of beeswax, candelilla wax, and an artificial wax—likely used for preservation—in Roman wall paintings from Herculaneum, Italy. The study, using non-destructive techniques like Raman and FTIR spectroscopies alongside gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS), identified these waxes in fragments from the House of the Skeleton, House of the Deer, and House of the two Atriums. Notably, candelilla wax, a vegetable source introduced to Europe after the 16th century, suggests later maintenance efforts aimed at preserving original colors. Additionally, pigments like hematite and Egyptian blue, along with minerals such as calcite, aragonite, and gypsum, were detected. This multi-analytical approach provides new insights into the materials used in ancient Roman art and their preservation over centuries.

Bergamonti, L., Cirlini, M., Graiff, C., Lottici, P. P., Palla, G., & Casoli, A. (2022). Characterization of Waxes in the Roman Wall Paintings of the Herculaneum Site (Italy). Applied Sciences, 12(21), 11264. https://doi.org/10.3390/app122111264