A recent study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science has revealed the discovery of a new color in the chromatic repertoire of the Roman world: Pompeian Gray.
This research, the result of collaboration between the Parco Archeologico di Pompei and various Italian universities, represents a significant advancement in understanding the painting techniques used in ancient Rome.
The study was conducted by researchers from the Department of Science and Technology at the University of Sannio and the Department of Earth, Environment, and Resource Sciences at the Federico II University of Naples. Its objective was to analyze the composition of the pigments used in Pompeii from the 3rd century BCE until the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 CE.
Using a non-invasive analytical approach that combines microscopy with spectroscopy, scientists were able to identify a broad palette of colors used in Roman mural painting.
It was discovered that artists of the time mixed natural and synthetic pigments with a sophisticated technique, achieving shades previously unknown.
One of the most remarkable findings of the research was the identification of Pompeian Gray, a previously unknown color in the Roman world. This particular shade is distinguished by the presence of barite and alunite, providing the first evidence of the use of barium sulfate in ancient Mediterranean mural painting.
The mixture of these minerals gave the pigment a grayish tone with a singular chromatic depth, possibly used to enhance realism and volume in pictorial compositions.
The discovery also has key implications for the conservation of Pompeian frescoes. Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of the Parco Archeologico di Pompei, highlighted the importance of these studies for the restoration and preservation of mural paintings, many of which are extremely fragile. It is an essential study for the conservation of frescoes, which require detailed knowledge for proper restoration, he stated.
This advancement is part of an ongoing effort to analyze and document the pigments used in Pompeii, including recent findings in the House of the Thiasos and the Dionysian Megalography recently discovered. The combination of scientific research and heritage restoration reinforces Italian excellence in the field of archaeology and historical heritage conservation.
SOURCES
Celestino Grifa, Chiara Germinario, et al., Pompeian pigments. A glimpse into ancient Roman colouring materials. Journal of Archaeological Science, Volume 177, May 2025, 106201. doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2025.106201
- Share on:
Discover more from LBV Magazine English Edition
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Extreme droughts triggered the great barbarian invasion of Roman Britain in the mid-4th century AD
A study led by the University of Cambridge has revealed that a series of extreme droughts between the years 364 and 366 AD may have been a determining factor in…
There is life on planet K2-18b: Strongest signs yet of biological activity detected outside the Solar System
A team of astronomers led by the University of Cambridge has detected the chemical fingerprints of possible signs of life on a planet outside the solar system. Using data from…
Archaeologists Discover a Roman Castellum on the Banks of the Danube, the First Found in Austria
For the first time, an archaeological investigation has conclusively documented the existence of a brückenkopfkastell—a Roman auxiliary outpost castle erected at a strategic river crossing point—on Austrian soil. The discovery,…
Prehistoric Sun Protection: How Homo sapiens Survived the Planet’s Magnetic Reversal 41,000 Years Ago
A recent study led by the University of Michigan suggests that Homo sapiens who inhabited Europe around 41,000 years ago may have survived a period of intense solar radiation thanks…
Magenta, the Color Born from a Battle
The history of colors is intertwined with the evolution of humanity, reflecting scientific advances, cultural conquests, and historical moments that have left an indelible mark on our perception of the…
This Is How Humans Managed to Make Fire During the Ice Age Glaciation
For millennia, fire has been considered an essential element for human survival: it not only provided warmth in hostile climates but also enabled food cooking, tool-making, and even served as…
A Celtic Iron Age Necropolis Found in France Without Human Remains but With Complete Swords in Their Sheaths and Other Treasures
At the top of the archaeological site of Creuzier-le-Neuf, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, a team from the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (Inrap) has uncovered an extensive necropolis dated…
Ancient Inscriptions, Heraldic Shields, and Drawings Deciphered in the Cenacle of Jerusalem Built by the Crusaders
An international team of researchers has succeeded in identifying and analyzing dozens of medieval graffiti in one of Christianity’s holiest sites, the Cenacle of Jerusalem, the place where tradition says…
The Military Secrets of Urartu: How a Forgotten Kingdom Challenged the Mighty Assyrian Empire
In the mountains of eastern Anatolia, during the Iron Age between the 9th and 6th centuries BC, a kingdom arose that challenged one of the greatest powers of its time:…
Maximator, the intelligence alliance formed by five European countries that ended up being spied on by their own machines
Military alliances are interstate political agreements signed to achieve common defense. They have existed since Antiquity (remember, for instance, the leagues formed by the Greek city-states), and although their most…
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
