Caracterización arqueométrica (físico-química y microestructural) de azulejos en el palacio mudéjar del Real Alcázar de Sevilla mediante métodos químicos cuantitativos no invasivos

A study of the ceramic tiles in Seville's Real Alcázar reveals that the palace's Mudéjar Palace, dating to the 14th century, features five distinct colors—green, black, molasses, white, and blue—each influenced by specific chemical elements like iron, cobalt, copper, manganese, and tin. Using non-invasive techniques such as X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and diffraction (XRD), along with microscopy, researchers analyzed 24 zones of the palace's tiles, identifying inclusions like wollastonite, quartz, bustamite, feldspars, casiterite, and malayaite. The findings indicate that the ceramic paste was calcic and fired at approximately 900°C. The study also highlights the presence of salts such as thenardite, gypsum, sodium chloride, and nitrogen compounds, which contribute to the tiles' deterioration. Notably, the ceramics exhibit no homogeneity due to varying installation periods—spanning from the 14th century to recent restorations—and multiple restoration interventions over time.

Pérez-Rodríguez, J. L., Robador, M. D., Castaing, J., de Viguerie, L., Garrote, M. A., & Pleguezuelo, A. (2021). Caracterización arqueométrica (físico-química y microestructural) de azulejos en el palacio mudéjar del Real Alcázar de Sevilla mediante métodos químicos cuantitativos no invasivos. Boletín de La Sociedad Española de Cerámica Y Vidrio, 60(4), 211–228. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bsecv.2020.03.001