Elemental characterisation of pre-hispanic rock art and arsenic in northern Chile

Sepulveda, Marcela; Laval, Eric; Cornejo, Lorena; Acarapi, Jorge

Keywords: Rock painting, Northern Chile, SEM-EDX, ED-XRF, Technology

Abstract

We present results of elemental physicochemical characterisation (by SEM-EDX) from two rock painting sites in northern Chile, Tangani and Vilacaurani. Different pigments have been identified, specifically iron and manganese oxides, commonly found worldwide. The presence of minor elements, such as arsenic, is also observed. Analysis of possible sources (by ED-XRF) enables us to infer that arsenic came from water used as a possible diluent. These results bring new information about the paint technologies developed by the pre-Hispanic peoples in northern Chile.

Más información

Título de la Revista: Rock Art Research: The Journal of the Australian Rock Art Research Association (AURA)
Volumen: 29
Número: 1
Fecha de publicación: 2012
Página de inicio: 93
Página final: 107
Idioma: Ingles
Notas: WOS Core collection ISI