1. Lightfastness assessment of Levantine rock art by means of microfading spectrometry
- Author
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Berta Carrión-Ruiz, Gabriel Riutort-Mayol, José Luis Lerma, and Julio M. del Hoyo-Meléndez
- Subjects
Pigments ,General Chemical Engineering ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Spanish Levantine rock art ,05 social sciences ,Art history ,Human Factors and Ergonomics ,Lightfastness ,General Chemistry ,Art ,Documentation ,01 natural sciences ,050105 experimental psychology ,010309 optics ,Photosensitivity ,0103 physical sciences ,INGENIERIA CARTOGRAFICA, GEODESIA Y FOTOGRAMETRIA ,Color degradation ,0501 psychology and cognitive sciences ,Rock art ,media_common - Abstract
[EN] The documentation of archeological sites requires the adoption of non-destructive techniques to safeguard the unique legacy coming from prehistoric periods. This article tackles the assessment of lightfastness properties on a rock art site to deter- mine the behavior of motif's color deterioration over time in Remi¿gia Cave, Castello¿n (Spain), which is considered part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The measurements were performed using a microfade testing device to analyze the spectral characteristics and the aging properties of the colorant system and various substrates on site. Two scenarios have been identified depending on whether the lightness (L*) parameter of the rocky substrate changes or not in relation with the painted motifs. If the substrate remains stable without any change, red motifs con- taining iron oxide pigments will become more visible. If the substrate becomes lighter, the pigments will experience similar changes. Therefore, the contrast between paintings and support will be considerably enhanced., The authors also would like to thank the Generalitat Valenciana for providing access to the site during the measurement campaigns. Fruitful comments from the Spanish archeologists Prof. Valentín Villaverde and Dra. Esther López-Montalvo are also gratefully acknowledged. The authors acknowledge the research project HAR2014-59873-R from the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad for providing financial support.
- Published
- 2019
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