X-RAY ANALYSIS OF PIGMENTS FROM VERGINA, GREECE (SECOND TOMB)

Abstract

Samples of pigments from excavated wall paintings of Vergina’s second tomb were analyzed by the non-destructive methods of X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction and mineralogical microscopic examinations. The results showed that one type of blue pigment was used, the well-known Egyptian blue. The red pigments, except one which is haematite, are cinnabar (HgS), and the grey pigments are carbon. None of the black pigments contained manganese compounds.