Premium
Lightfastness assessment of Levantine rock art by means of microfading spectrometry
Author(s) -
HoyoMeléndez Julio M.,
CarriónRuiz Berta,
RiutortMayol Gabriel,
Lerma José L.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
color research and application
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.393
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1520-6378
pISSN - 0361-2317
DOI - 10.1002/col.22372
Subject(s) - cave , rock art , painting , substrate (aquarium) , archaeology , documentation , lightness , art , mineralogy , geology , computer science , geography , visual arts , artificial intelligence , oceanography , programming language
The documentation of archeological sites requires the adoption of non‐destructive techniques to safeguard the unique legacy coming from prehistoric periods. This article tackles the assessment of lightfastness properties on a rock art site to determine the behavior of motif's color deterioration over time in Remígia Cave, Castellón (Spain), which is considered part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The measurements were performed using a microfade testing device to analyze the spectral characteristics and the aging properties of the colorant system and various substrates on site. Two scenarios have been identified depending on whether the lightness ( L *) parameter of the rocky substrate changes or not in relation with the painted motifs. If the substrate remains stable without any change, red motifs containing iron oxide pigments will become more visible. If the substrate becomes lighter, the pigments will experience similar changes. Therefore, the contrast between paintings and support will be considerably enhanced.