Ancient Pigments in Afrasiab Murals: Characterization by XRD, SEM, and Raman Spectroscopy

The Afrasiab murals discovered in the northeast of Samarkand, Uzbekistan—the center ancient Silk Road—are presumed to date mid-seventh century during Sogdian era. Although previous studies have examined primary materials pigments used these using chemical and microscopic analyses, in-depth investigations pigment raw material composition not been conducted verify results studies. We applied X-ray diffractometry, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy conjunction with energy-dispersive spectroscopy for first time identify fragments obtained from murals. show that lazurite, cinnabar, amorphous carbon were as blue, red, black pigments, respectively. Moreover, we identified directly painted on wall surface; instead, they a white undercoat gypsum plaster, similar other Road paintings. this study can benefit provision more accurate information regard further support selection appropriate substances purposes conservation restoration