On‐and off‐site Raman study of rock‐shelter paintings at world‐heritage site of Bhimbetka

A Raman spectroscopy study of the rock-shelter paintings at Bhimbetka, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in India, identified mineral-based pigments used from prehistoric times to the 19th century. The research detected calcite, gypsum, hematite, whewellite, and goethite both on-site with a portable spectrometer and off-site with micro-Raman spectroscopy combined with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. This non-invasive method allowed for the precise identification of pigments even in tiny fragments (100–200 µm), providing insights into the materials used across different historical periods without damaging the artworks.

Ravindran, T. R., Arora, A. K., Singh, M., & Ota, S. B. (2012). On‐and off‐site Raman study of rock‐shelter paintings at world‐heritage site of Bhimbetka. Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, 44(1), 108–113. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/jrs.4148