Plaster Characteristics of Byzantine Wall Paintings in Western Anatolia

A study on Byzantine wall paintings from western Anatolia reveals that plaster characteristics vary significantly between sites, with Aigai displaying techniques such as marmorino and intonachino, indicative of earlier periods, while Anaia and Başpınar exhibit magnesium-rich lime plasters similar to post-iconoclastic period samples. The research used scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and reflected light microscopy (RLM) to analyze plaster stratigraphy and microstructural properties from three sites: Anaia Church, Başpınar Church in Olympos, and a Byzantine setting and chapel in Aigai. The findings suggest intentional layering techniques aligned with painting methods, providing insights that can guide conservation efforts for these cultural heritage sites.

Şerifaki, K., & Böke, H. (2022). PLASTER CHARACTERISTICS OF BYZANTINE WALL PAINTINGS IN WESTERN ANATOLIA. Materiali in Tehnologije, 56(5). https://doi.org/10.17222/mit.2022.555