CHARACTERIZATION AND ALTERATION STUDIES OF

The need for a conservation-restoration intervention on a series of socarrats originating from archaeological exca- vations in Manises (Valencia) and the lack of studies about them have motivated research into the materials and technologies used for their production. The lack of research work into the study of Valencian socarrats presently outlines certain discussion about its technique. Howe- ver, its ornamental technique would be better linked with wall paintings than with ceramic ones, thus endowing these pieces exceptional singularity and difficulty for their intervention. Sixteen socarrats stored in the Municipal Ceramics Museum in Manises have been characterised by a series of analytical techniques: OM, SEM-EDX, XRD, FTIR, VMP (optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, voltamperometry of microparticles). A fired ceramic body constitutes the support of a carbonated slaked lime layer, painted with hematite red and carbon black pigments. As a result of contamination during the burial period, to some extent calcite had converted into gypsum; pigments show a se- vere loss of cohesion and adhesion to the lime layer. Potential treatments to remove surface dirt must be performed after taking the situation into account. No relevant contamination of soluble salts was detected. This study was undertaken by analysing chromatic changes in a series of replicas submitted to artificial ageing.