An Archaeometric Investigation on the Pigments Used in the Wall Paintings of Post-Byzantine (XIX century) Churches in Cappadocia

Authors : Bengin Bilici Genç, Cem Gök, Evin Caner, Yusuf Özcan

Pages : 41-57

Doi:10.54577/lycus.1117155

View : 27 | Download : 27

Publication Date : 2023-07-06

Article Type : Research Article

Abstract :Cappadocia region, rock churches, monasteries, houses, underground settlements, valleys and historical and geological formations have unique beauty. The region, which is rich with its cultural assets belongs to Christian culture in Anatolia, is generally known with its rock churches, and is a subject to researches. The purpose of this study is; to understand the wall painting technology of the 19th century church, and to make a comparison with the wall painting materials of the rock churches. The study material is composed of pigments in the wall paintings of the Church of St. Theodoros Trion, which is from the 19th century, and located in Nevşehir. Scanning Electron Microscope and Energy Distributed Spectrometer (SEM-EDX), X-Ray Diffraction Spectrometry (XRD) and Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectrophotometer (FTIR) are used to determine material characterization of pigments. X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer (XRF) analysis method was used in the analysis of the soil structure. As a result of analysis of the wall painting, it has been found that the ultramarine pigment is obtained from the lapis lazuli mineral and the covellite mineral of the covellite blue. In red, the red ochre and the caput mortuum pigment in purple color has been found. In the mineral of different pigment species, bauxite mineral belongs to the region have been detected. Green color, it has been determined that it is obtained from the glauconite and celadonite mineral in the region. According to the research carried out in the region in green color, it has been detected that only this pigment species has been used from the 6th century to the 19th century.
Keywords : : Kapadokya, Pigment, Duvar Resmi, Post-Bizans Kilisesi, Arkeometri