ABSTRACT
Multilayered fragments of murals were used to evaluate the usefulness of two laser-based instrumental methods: laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and laser ablation (LA) inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for elemental imaging of unique historic samples. Simultaneous LA/LIBS measurements with the use of 266nm Nd:YAG laser were performed on cross-sections of mediaeval Nubian objects with specific blue painting layers including either Egyptian blue (CaCuSi4O10) or lapis lazuli (Na8-10Al6Si6O24S2-4). A combined use of both laser-based methods allowed for clear distinguishing of blue pigments based on visual imaging of a chemical composition of heterogeneous archaeological inorganic samples. The identification of the pigments was confirmed with Raman spectroscopy.
