Characterization of black pigment used in 30 BC fresco wall paint using instrumental methods and chemometry

Background and methods: Several standard powdered black pigments were characterized by means of thermogravimetry TG-DTG and allied techniques. These pigments were used to make standard plaster frescoes at this purpose prepared. The latter ones were subjected to Raman and reflectance analysis. The results obtained, together with TG data, were chemometrically processed and used to identify an analogous standard fresco fabricated by an unknown commercial black pigment, obtaining excellent results. Results: The same colorimetric and reflectometric techniques, coupled with suitable chemometric techniques, were then successfully used to identify the type of black pigment present in an ancient roman fresco of the Imperial Age (30 B.C.). Conclusion: TG-DTG resulted useful techniques to autenticate powdered black pigments. Colorimetry and Raman, but also the only colorimetry, were useful to identify an ancient black pigment in situ.