Scientific Characterization of Roman Age Over-Paintings at Luxor Temple, Upper Egypt: Preliminary Results

Abstract

The Roman paintings of Luxor temple in Upper Egypt, dated back to the reign of Emperor Diocletian (late third century AD), are considered one of the most important examples of the use of over-painting techniques in the world. Different plaster layers were applied and painted with scenes of Roman officials over the decorated pharaonic walls from the period of Amenophis III (eighteenth Dynasty, c.1402–1364 BC). In this study, different analytical methods were applied to identify the painting materials that were used for the construction of the over-paintings.