EXARC Journal (Feb 2017)
Painting Bronze Age Plaster from Thebes Boeotia
Abstract
A series of experiments were conducted to study an unusual mortar mixture identified by Brysbaert (2008a) in plaster fragments found in Thebes, Boeotia (Her study of the samples mentioned in the article included investigation by X-ray diffraction, stereo, reflected light and scanning electron microscopy, laser-induced breakdown spectrometry, micro-Raman spectroscopy and macroscopic study.). The mixture was very interesting in its composition, containing unusual aggregates such as crushed seashells and bone. The techniques used in the samples are presented with reference to the sources that were consulted, the materials used, and their preparation. During research, a small number of technical issues and details of painting were identified which were also raised in Brysbaert’s original article. We have seen similar beliefs repeated elsewhere and so we took this opportunity to address them. Our experimental results show that seashells can be used as an aggregate in lime mortars. We believe that they are a good material to add alongside other aggregates. They can also be used on their own, but they produce a mixture that tends to dry faster.
