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Fig. 2.45 Non-destructive analysis with MIMOS of ancient rock painting in Brazil (near Belo
Horizonte). Two Mössbauer backscattering spectra were recorded, one of a darker paint, the other
for a light-colored paint. Different iron oxide pigments are responsible for the different colors [
80
]
2.3.6.1 Archaeometric Applications
Studies of ancient ceramics became the first instance of the use of Mössbauer spec-
troscopy in what one commonly calls archaeometry—the application of scientific
methods in studies of archaeological sites and artefacts. Changes which pottery clays
undergo during firing are reflected in the Mössbauer spectra of the fired ceramics and
hence can be used, even after millennia of burial, to gain information on the original
firing conditions and thus on the techniques. Other areas of archaeological interest are,
for example, corrosion or steel properties in iron artefacts, slags from prehistoric copper,
tin and iron production, and pigments and paintings (e.g. [
79
], and references therein).
The portability and ability to perform non-destructive analyses with MIMOS
have been exploited in the investigation of ancient rock paintings in Brazil (near
Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Fig.
2.45
). MIMOS was mounted on a tripod and
