Pigment characterisation in Buton Island rock art: a review of modern instrumental methods of analysis
Evi Maryanti (a*), Irfan Gustian (a), Elfi Yuliza (b), Chatree Saiyasombat (c), Adhi Agus Oktaviana (d,e), Moh Mua^lliful Ilmi (f)

(a) Department of Chemistry, Bengkulu University
*evi.maryanti[at]unib.ac.id
(b) Department of Physics, Bengkulu University
(c) Synchrotron Light Research Institute, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
(d) Griffith University, Griffith Centre for Social and Cultural Research, Brisbane, Australia
(e) BRIN, OR Arkeologi, Bahasa dan Sastra, Jakarta, Indonesia
(f) Department of Chemistry, Surabaya State University

Abstract

Eastern Indonesia is known as an area with a wealth of prehistoric rock art sites, including the Sulawesi archipelago. In the Maros-Pangkep site area, South Sulawesi, rock images were found that were 43.9 thousand years old and are known to be the oldest rock images of hunting scenes in the world. Many rock art images of animals and handprints were also found, known to be 20-30 thousand years old. Buton Island is one of the islands in Southeast Sulawesi Province, which is also suspected of having a prehistoric rock art site. However, research regarding rock drawing pigments on the Buton Island site has yet to be reported. Modern instrumental methods that combine diffraction and spectroscopic techniques were used to investigate the red pigment of rock art taken from the Waburi and Wantopi niches, South Buton. Analysis of chemical elements and components of the pigment material using a Raman spectrophotometer and XRF shows hematite as the main mineral in the pigment material. Structural analysis using synchrotron-based X-ray diffraction and XANES shows the crystal phase of the hematite compound (Fe2O3) with octahedral symmetry. The combination of several modern instrumental methods has provided information on the pigment materials^ chemical properties. It also provides an overview of the application and development of technology that can be used to investigate cultural heritage objects

Keywords: Rock art- hematite- Buton- synchrotron- XANES

Topic: Chemistry and Applied Chemistry