Characteristic features of lapis lazuli from different provenances revised by μXRF and ESEM
- The objective of this study is to find out how far geochemical characteristics of the blue mineral pigment can be confirmed in respect to its provenance. In dependence of the quantity of samples analysed from a special geological region and the methods applied, a range of variation is taken into consideration. To provide clues, a multi-technique analytical approach with µXRF and ESEM is applied to samples from the most famous deposits.
Special elements determined as fingerprint are related to the textural features corresponding directly to the geological conditions of forming. The results and the statistical output allow a differentiation that enables an optimized local classification of the blue stone. To be aware of the limits of analysis is an absolute requirement for each geo-tracing implemented on blue coloured cultural objects of unknown provenance. For testing the possible sources of lapis lazuli, the blue pigment used as paint on murals and as ink on manuscripts from the SilkThe objective of this study is to find out how far geochemical characteristics of the blue mineral pigment can be confirmed in respect to its provenance. In dependence of the quantity of samples analysed from a special geological region and the methods applied, a range of variation is taken into consideration. To provide clues, a multi-technique analytical approach with µXRF and ESEM is applied to samples from the most famous deposits.
Special elements determined as fingerprint are related to the textural features corresponding directly to the geological conditions of forming. The results and the statistical output allow a differentiation that enables an optimized local classification of the blue stone. To be aware of the limits of analysis is an absolute requirement for each geo-tracing implemented on blue coloured cultural objects of unknown provenance. For testing the possible sources of lapis lazuli, the blue pigment used as paint on murals and as ink on manuscripts from the Silk Road is analysed in an exemplary way.…