MICRO-RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY OF DECORATED POTTERY OF THE DIAGUITA CULTURE FROM IV REGION, CHILE (9TH-15TH CENTURY AD)

ABSTRACT Raman spectroscopy pigments on decorated antique Chilean pottery belonging to the Diaguita`s culture deposited in Museum of Limari, have been studied by using Raman spectroscopy. Four ceramic fragments from the unknown contexts were examined. Four colors were found with certainty: red, black, brown and white. Quartz and manganese (kempite) salts, as well as different types of oxide pigments: hematite, tenorite and possibly goethite, were identified. Keywords: Raman spectroscopy; pigment analysis; archaeometry; Diaguita ceramics e-mail: guillermodiaz@upla.cl INTRODUCTION The knowledge of the materials involved in artistic and cultural heritage, allows a better understanding of our civilization, and an improvement of the restoration and conservation methods. But, until recently, the study of works of art remained mainly the concern of research by art historians because the scientific techniques required a quantity of materials unacceptable for the integrity of the works. In fact, spectroscopic analyses are the most frequently used methods in the field of cultural heritage