Paintings and painted surfaces are considered to be extremely complex due to their multitude of materials and thus form the basis for particularly intricate Cultural Heritage studies. The combination of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with Cathodoluminescence (CL) can serve as a powerful tool for the identification of individual pigments. SEM/CL has the potential of identifying both organic and inorganic pigments and can focus on a micrometer or even nanometer scale. The combination with Energy Dispersive Spectrometry (EDS) allows for robust, cross-checked, elemental and mineralogical characterization of pigments. In order to apply SEM/CL in a routine-based way for the identification of pigments, it is necessary to have a robust, open-access database of characteristic CL spectra of pigments. A large project has been undertaken to create such a database, focusing primarily at the pigments, both organic and inorganic, which were most commonly used from antiquity until today. In the present paper, the CL characterization of common white pigments is presented. White pigments were selected, due to their significance and frequency of use, since they were also present on the ground layers or mixed with other pigments in most of the painting layers. More specifically, the CL spectra of samples in pure form of calcite, kaolinite, lead white, zinc oxide, barium sulfate, lithopone and titanium white are presented. In all cases, the CL spectra present characteristic bands, which allow for a secure identification of the pigments. In order to facilitate comparison with other databases, EDS and RAMAN spectra are also presented. Additionally, the effect of weathering on the CL spectra was evaluated, by comparison to naturally and artificially aged samples and to pigments identified on areas of two paintings, of the 19th and 20th c., respectively. Finally, the effect of binding media was also studied, using combination of pigments with four common media: egg yolk, linseed, walnut and poppy oil. Overall, both weathering and binding media appear to cause minor differences in the occurring spectra, without preventing the identification of pigments.

In a rescue excavation of a Roman funerary complex located at the city of Patras, Achaia, Greece, an assemblage of high quality glass vessels of the 2^nd-3^rd c. AD was recovered. Here we present the results from the physicochemical examination of the collection using a combination of non-destructive techniques, namely optical microscopy, portable X-Ray Fluorescence, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Infrared spectroscopy (IR) techniques. The analyses resulted in the chemical characterization of the glass samples and the identification of a rare example of soda plant-ash glass. Moreover, madder lake was identified as the original content of several glass vessels. Finally, the effect of the original content on the corrosion processes was investigated, along with issues of biocorrosion. Statement of significance The interdisciplinary study of an assemblage of 2^nd-3^rd c. AD Roman funerary vessel glasses from Patras, Greece is reported. The archaeological and archaeometric study of Roman glass in south and central Greece has so far been limited. The present work is the first attempt to examine the complete chaîne opératoire of Roman funerary glass vessels, using a multi-technique approach. More specifically, the basic aims of the study were (1) the chemical characterization of the glass and the determination of the raw materials used; (2) the determination of the original content of the vessels; and (3) the examination of the corrosion effects on the glass.

This study focuses on the analysis of a post-medieval assemblage of glass vessels and tableware, recovered from an Ottoman bathhouse in Kyparissia, SW Peloponnese, Greece. The chemical composition of the samples was estimated using SEM/EDS, whereas minor and trace elements were identified by qualitative XRF analysis. Raman spectroscopy was applied in order to examine the connectivity of the silicate glass matrix in more detail. The acquired data indicate significant chemical variations among the samples, especially in regards to the alkali source and the decolourant used. Moreover, one high-lead glass has also been identified. The provenance analysis, which was based on the statistical treatment of the resulted and published analytical data, indicated that the different glass types originated both from the eastern regions of the Ottoman Empire and from glassmaking centres in central and northern Europe. The determination of technology and provenance of the assemblage provided with valuable new information regarding the production and trading network of glass in mainland Greece during the Ottoman rule.

The combined application of Cathodoluminescence (CL) with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) on paintings and painted surfaces has the potential to identify both organic and inorganic pigments on a micrometre or even nanometre scale. Additionally, the combination with Energy-Dispersive Spectrometry (EDS) allows for a more holistic, elemental, and mineralogical characterization of pigments. In addressing the need for the creation of a robust, open access database of characteristic CL spectra of pigments, a large project has been undertaken, focusing primarily on common organic and inorganic pigments. The present paper focuses on the CL characterization of 10 significant blue pigments in pure powder form: cerulean blue, Egyptian blue, Han blue, indigo, lapis lazuli, Maya blue, phthalo blue, vivianite, ultramarine blue, and zirconium blue. The CL spectra present characteristic bands for most of the pigments, allowing their secure identification, especially when combining the results with the EDS analyses. The effect of binding media and of the mixture of different pigments was also studied, via the analysis of mixtures of pigments with oil painted over canvas. Overall, both the binding medium and the mixture of pigments do not appear to create significant differences in the occurring spectra, thus allowing the identification of individual pigments. EDS and RAMAN spectra are included in order to facilitate comparison with other databases.

Analytical studies of archeological materials often face challenges, such as the merging of heterogeneous, multidimensional datasets from complementary analytical techniques, and incorporating site- and user-defined parameters. In this study, a data fusion methodology is applied that combines micro-X-ray fluorescence (micro-XRF) spectrometry and handheld Raman spectroscopy to investigate degradation layers and identify pollution sources on two monuments in an urban background: the Temple of Hephaestus and the Byzantine Church of Ag. Theodoroi, in Athens, Greece. A total of 12 samples were collected for laboratory measurements and 32 in situ measurements were conducted. Statistical and unsupervised machine learning tools, namely correlation analysis, Principal Component Analysis and k-means clustering, were applied to the merged datasets. Additionally, selected elements’ ratios were calculated to infer their sources. The black crusts were identified as heterogeneous mixtures of calcium sulfate dihydrate, calcite, and particulate pollutants, with their composition reflecting their preservation state. Vehicular emission indicators were dominant in both sites, while secondary domestic heating pollutant indicators were more prevalent at Ag. Theodoroi. Orientation had a minor role compared to pollutant sources in differentiating degradation patterns. The integrated comparison of the different outputs highlighted the interpretive potential of the approach, particularly in improving the readability of the multivariate structure and supporting the development of targeted conservation strategies for monuments in polluted urban contexts.