In or out the laboratory: A direct comparison of micro- and portable Raman spectroscopy on the analysis of Patagonian rock art (Argentina)

ROUSAKI, ANASTASIA; ARNABOLDI, ALMA; BELLELLI, CRISTINA; CARBALLIDO CALATAYUD, MARIANA; VARGAS, EMMANUEL; HAJDUK, ADAM; PALACIOS, OSCAR; VÁZQUEZ, CRISTINA; BRUNI, SILVIA; MOENS, LUC; VANDENABEELE, PETER

Postdam

Congreso; 10th International Congress on the Application of Raman Spectroscopy in Art and Archaeology; 2019

Institute of Geosciences, University of Potsdam

Micro-Raman spectroscopy and mobileRaman spectroscopy, have been applied on a variety of rock art paintingslocated around the world. In the case of rock art paintings found in theArgentinian part of Patagonia, paintings from rock shelters and caves were extensivelydiscussed in literature, together with the applicability of Raman spectroscopy forthe study of these outstanding works of art. Here, a comparison between the resultsretrieved from rock art paintings with micro-Raman spectroscopy and with mobileRaman spectroscopy is considered. The case study is based on samples/paintingslocated in the Piedra Parada Valley of the Chubut province in the aridenvironment of the steppes. Data collected with Raman microscopy from a 1996and a 2016 sampling campaign are compared with the results from an extensive in situ Raman spectroscopy campaign (2016).The outcome of this research has threemain targets: (a) to identify and document the colourful pigmented layers-white,red, yellow, green, black-of shelters from Chubut province (b) characterizepossible weathering compounds and (c) compare the Raman approaches as a directresult of working in and out the laboratory, without jeopardising the artefact.For the latter, state-of-the-artRaman spectrometers can be proved powerful tools towards the non-invasiveanalysis of rock art paintings.