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The nature of black stains in Lascaux Cave,France, as revealed by surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy |
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| Authors: | Pedro M Martin‐Sanchez Santiago Sanchez‐Cortes Eduardo Lopez‐Tobar Valme Jurado Fabiola Bastian Claude Alabouvette Cesareo Saiz‐Jimenez |
| Abstract: | We used surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy to investigate the chemical composition of the black stains threatening the rock‐art paintings of Lascaux Cave, Montignac, France. The stains are mainly composed of melanin from the fungus Ochroconis sp. and the faecal pellets of the collembolan Folsomia candida. Surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy is a useful technique for revealing the structure of unknown macromolecules in cultural heritage research. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
| Keywords: | SERS rock‐art paintings black stains melanins |