Abstract
Abstract A problem regarding Roman imperial monuments is the presence of patinas, rose-brown in colour, covering the external surface of marble, called ‘scialbatura’. Different hypotheses have been advanced to explain the origin of these patinas; that which refers scialbatura to treatments applied to the monuments with the aim of protecting the stone is the most accepted one. We have studied these patinas on a wide series of monuments, historic buildings, artifacts and natural outcrops, on both marble and limestone, exposed to the open atmosphere. An origin linked, either directly or indirectly, to external treatments for protection is rejected: the so-called scialbatura is found to be due to the biochemical activity of encrusting lichens.
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