Contribution and limits of portable X-ray fluorescence for studying Palaeolithic rock art: a case study at the Points cave (Aigueze, Gard, France)

Analysing the colouring matter used to make prehistoric rock art is essential in order to retrace the chaines operatoires involved. Despite the well-documented limitations of portable analysis systems, the need to conserve rock art led us to reassess the capabilities of portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) spectrometry. Thus, we compared in-situ and laboratory analyses of materials from the Points cave (France), and laboratory pXRF results with analyses obtained using other methods and with reference samples. Results confirmed that current pXRF systems are unable to provide data suitable for elucidating the chaines operatoires of ferruginous colouring matter.

Automated summary

Analysing the colouring matter used in prehistoric rock art is essential for understanding the techniques used. This study compared in-situ and laboratory analyses of materials from the Points cave in France, finding that current pXRF systems are unable to provide suitable data for elucidating the chaines operatoires of ferruginous colouring matter.