Physico-chemical analysis and characterization of ancient Roman frescoes

The so-called "Stazione Termini" frescoes were physico-chemical characteriz ed aiming at ensuring their conservation. The analysis included also two ot her sites frescoed during the same period, namely the "Via Eleniana" and th e "Palazzo Barberini" frescoes, in order to compare the results obtained co ncerning the materials, pigments and techniques used. These frescoes were c haracterized in three stages: analysis of the mortar, analysis of the pigme nt and analysis of the glue that was found in the Stazione Termini frescoes , left over from the detachment operations performed in 1947. Results of ch emical analysis led to the identification of the technique and the main mat erials used to make the frescoes.