April 01, 2022

A new article was published recently in the Journal Heritage presenting collaborative work of the Photonics for Heritage Science (PhoHS)-IESL-FORTH, the Acropolis Restoration Service (YSMA), Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports and the Art Diagnosis Centre-Ormylia Foundation, Greece.

The paper entitled “Architectural Polychromy on the Athenian Acropolis: An In Situ Non-Invasive Analytical Investigation of the Colour Remains” by Eleni Aggelakopoulou, Sophia Sotiropoulou and Georgios Karagiannis, presents the research outcomes of an in situ analytical investigation of the polychromy of the Acropolis monuments in the framework  of the Acropolis Restoration Service (YSMA) program (2011–2015), regarding the restoration of the two corners of the west entablature of the Parthenon, which exhibited severe static damage, and a parallel restoration program of the Propylaea.

The focus of this research was on investigating the materials in the paint decoration remains on the monuments by applying, entirely in situ, analytical techniques. Access to the sites and selected architectural members was accomplished by scaffolds that were erected around the Parthenon and Propylaea during the last restoration program (2011–2015) of the Acropolis monuments. The techniques applied were X-ray fluorescence, microRaman, and Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR) spectroscopic techniques, conducted with the use of handheld or portable instruments. The scientific data gathered in situ were extensively discussed and contextualised in this paper to enhance our knowledge of the architectural polychromy of the classical period.

Read the article: https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage5020042

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