Keywords
Rock Paintings
Thermal Analysis
Calcium Oxalate
Lichen
How to Cite
Abstract
The presence of crusts of different composition and origin is a threat to cultural heritage. In Brazil, most of the prehistoric paintings are found on rock walls exposed to atmospheric weathering. For this research, samples were taken in the Cavernas do Peruaçu National Park, located in Minas Gerais. The physico-chemical characterization was carried out using thermal analysis, EDS, XRD and FTIR. The analyses indicated the presence of calcium carbonate (CaCO3 ), as a degradation product and showed calcium oxalate (CaC2O4·2H2O) and calcium sulfate (CaSO4·2H2O) in areas where a microorganism grows. This microorganism, probably the lichen Aspicilia calcarea, has already been found in archaeological sites around the globe.
References
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