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Roman wall fragments dating from 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, from two sites of the Roman province of Germania Superior, near the present day towns of Wössingen (Baden-Württemberg) and Mülheim-Kärlich (Rheinland-Pfalz), were analyzed with synchrotron-based scanning macro-X-ray fluorescence (SR-MA-XRF) at the FLUO beamline (ANKA Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology). Lead, iron, copper, calcium, potassium, among other elements, were detected and are correlated with red, blue, yellow and green pigments. In the fragments from Mülheim-Kärlich, red has high correlation with Pb (red lead pigment), Fe and Ca were detected in 2 different hues of yellow respectively, and Cu is correlated with the blue pigment. The green pigment investigated in the Wössingen's fragments has high correlation with Fe and K, indicating the use of green earth, and the red pigment is correlated with iron, indicating the use of the red ochre. Synchrotron-based scanning macro-X-ray fluorescence applied in fragments of wall paintings has shown to be a fast, non-destructive and effective technique in the identification and discrimination of the pigments, plaster, different layers and impurities in paintings through the 2D elemental distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: As a contribution to the increasing efforts to preserve cultural heritage, historical books as well as illuminated manuscripts endangered by corrosive writing and printing materials or destructive coloring matters, non-destructive analytical methods are highly desirable enabling an in-situ examination of the surface status of an object. The development and application of a novel combination of non-destructive analytic methods based on (a) synchrotron radiation induced micro-X-ray fluorescence (SR-μXRF) and (b) Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microscope allows to investigate the state as well as the effectiveness of conservation procedures for historical manuscripts. Examples of measurements include (1) an iron gall ink manuscript of a historical memo on legal land description of the year 1769, (2) an original hand colored herbal of the years 1536/38 from the Senckenbergische Bibliothek, Frankfurt, and (3) the incunabula Johannes von Saaz: “Der Ackermann aus Boehmen” fated from 1463 and printed by Albrecht Pfister, Bamberg, owned by the Herzog August Bibliothek, Wolfenbuettel. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]