Our laboratory collaborates with archaeologists to study ancient rock paintings. We specialize in using a glow discharge for radiocarbon dating sample preparation. Prior to low-temperature plasma oxidation of organic binders in the paint, we pretreated red and black paint samples with sodium hydroxide solution to remove humic acids. Extracted carbon dioxide was analyzed using accelerator mass spectrometry. Radiocarbon results were averaged using the R_Combine function of the OxCal computer program with IntCal13 curve data to produce calibrated age ranges. We also conducted a mineral analysis on samples using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction to identify mineral pigments used by ancient artists. These types of chemical results can aid archaeologists in their study of ancient cultures.

Chemical analysis of ancient paintings: AMS radiocarbon dating of binders & x-ray diffraction of pigment

251st National Meeting (2016)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.