Micro-Raman analysis of prehistoric rock art in Patagonia (Argentina)

ROUSAKI, ANASTASIA; COCCATO, ALESSIA; BELLELLI, CRISTINA; CARBALLIDO CALATAYUD, MARIANA; ALDAZÁBAL, VERÓNICA; CUSTO, GRACIELA; MOENS, LUC; VANDENABEELE, PETER; VÁZQUEZ, CRISTINA

Varsovia

Congreso; RAA2015, 8th International Conference on the application of Raman Spectroscopy in Art and Archaeology; 2015

Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wrocław

Research on prehistoric Patagonian rock art can reveal information about the origin of the pigments (minerals or clay like materials)used for painting these abstract pictograms. Moreover, it can help protecting this valuable world heritage by tracking the environmental interference through the identification of (bio)degradation products.These artefacts are extremely vulnerable due to environmental attack from the Patagonian dry, windy climate with long winters and short summers. Moreover, the open shelters provide little protection against the climate. All these factors introduce many variables for the preservation of these works and for understanding the chemical degradation processes that are taking place.