Spectroscopic analysis of decorated vestiges found in the Roman Theatre of Medellín, Badajoz, Spain

The last restoration works of the Roman Theatre in Medellín (Badajoz, Spain) helped to transform a partially-buried ancient Roman site into a relevant monument of national cultural heritage. This fact was recognized with Europa Nostra Awards 2013, a prestigious EU Prize for Cultural Heritage. Certain parts of this theatre (Proedria, Orchestra, Frons Pulpiti, Scaenae Frons, among others) were re-emerged in a remarkable state of preservation. Particularly, various decorated fragments of the baseboard in the Scaenae Frons structure, stucco columns and other decorative figures were recovered in excellent condition. In this work, those pigments found on these decorated elements were characterized by means of in situ EDXRF analysis. Additionally, several pigmented fragments found in the site, were analyzed by XRD, FTIR and SEM, in order to cast light on the original pigmentation. Iron in the red color seems to be the predominant element. This result is in agreement with the usage of hematite, a pigment widely used in Roman time. Mercury have not been found in red pigments despite the relatively proximity of the cinnabar ore Almadén mines.