Raman spectroscopic study of red pigment and fresco fragments from King Herod's Palace at Jericho

Non-destructive Raman spectroscopic analysis of two red-pigmented fresco fragments from the Palace of King Herod the Great (late first century BC) at Jericho has provided some novel information about the source of the pigment and its application to the fresco plaster. The pigment is unadulterated cinnabar which closely resembles a mineral source from Tarna in Spain. The pigment actually consists of two layers, the lower one being of a lighter colour which was obtained using calcite dust, and there is a suggestion of remains of an organic wax or oil binder in this layer to provide better adhesion for the bright-red pigment superimposed layer. No trace of gypsum was found in the fresco substrate.