title: Integrated analytical techniques for the study of ancient Greek polychromy.
abstract: The materials used in the decoration of three painted astragaloi (knucklebones) from the Koroneia cave (Greece) were investigated by means of sequential application of non-destructive and destructive techniques: optical microscopy, environmental scanning electron microscopy coupled with X-ray microanalysis (ESEM-EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) with micro-attenuated total reflection (mu-ATR) technique, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with UV-fluorescence and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were used. The main results highlighted that the three astragaloi were prepared with a ground of ochre or iron clay and painted with a proteinaceous matter such as binder egg tempera. Both FTIR and GC-MS agree in the detection of lipids that can be related to egg. Organic dyestuffs identified as madder lake and shellfish purple were used together with inorganic pigments.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Chimica e Chimica Industriale, Università di Pisa, via Risorgimento 35 Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Perla
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Colombini
authors.forename: Alessia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carmignani
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Modugno
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Frezzato
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Olchini
authors.forename: Hariclia
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Brecoulaki
authors.forename: Vivi
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vassilopoulou
authors.forename: Panagiotis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Karkanas