title: GC/MS and proteomics to unravel the painting history of the lost Giant Buddhas of Bāmiyān (Afghanistan).
abstract: A chemical investigation of the organic paint binders of the Giant Buddhas of Bāmiyān was performed using an analytical approach based on mass spectrometry, combining traditional gas chromatography/mass spectrometry protocols with advanced proteomics methodologies. The research was carried out on a selection of rescued fragments. The data revealed the use of egg proteins as the paint binders of the original layers, in accordance with the traditional use of this proteinaceous medium in antiquity, spanning from the Mediterranean basin to the Far East, and already in the Bronze Age. Egg tempera was thus known to artists of the region in the first centuries AD, probably also due to the position of the Bāmiyān valley, which was connected to the Silk Road. Milk was found in the first historical overpaintings. A new proteomics approach was used, which was able to identify the source of the milk proteins present in the restoration layers, despite their age and degradation. In particular cow's and goat's milk were both found, in agreement with the documented presence of rich pastures in the Bāmiyān valley when the historical restorations were carried out. Investigating the materials of the Giant Buddhas not only enabled us to obtain isolated data on these invaluable works of art, which are now lost, but contributes to understanding the big "puzzle" of our past and the development of our culture, by implementing and supporting written sources, stylistic and anthropological studies with molecular data.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Chimica e Chimica Industriale, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lluveras-Tenorio
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vinciguerra
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Eugenio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Galano
authors.affiliation: Technische Universitaet Muenchen, Lehrstuhl für Restaurierung, Kunsttechnologie und Konservierungswissenschaft, Muenchen, Deutschland.
authors.forename: Catharina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Blaensdorf
authors.affiliation: Technische Universitaet Muenchen, Lehrstuhl für Restaurierung, Kunsttechnologie und Konservierungswissenschaft, Muenchen, Deutschland.
authors.forename: Erwin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Emmerling
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Chimica e Chimica Industriale, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy.|Institute for the Conservation and Promotion of Cultural Heritage, National Research Council of Italy (ICVBC-CNR), Sesto Fiorentino, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Perla Colombini
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy.|Distretto ad Alta Tecnologia dei Beni Culturali (DATABENC Scarl), Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Leila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Birolo
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Chimica e Chimica Industriale, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Ilaria
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0346-8373
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bonaduce
mesh_terms: D000346:Afghanistan; D000818:Animals; D005202:Asia, Eastern; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods; D008892:Milk / Q000737:chemistry; D008894:Milk Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D010150:Paint / Q000032:analysis*; D010151:Paintings; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D040901:Proteomics / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D008894:Milk Proteins; D011506:Proteins