Reproducing the Wall Painting of the Abduction of Persephone (Vergina-Macedonia): Conditions and Restrictions for a Successful Archaeological Experiment

Research on the technique of fresco painting in Macedonian tombs of the late classical period, is currently in progress through the experimental reproduction of the mural the Tomb of Persephone in the Grand Tumulus of Vergina. The purpose of the research is to identify the techniques used by ancient...

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Main Authors: Manolis I. Stefanakis, Antonis Vlavogilakis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: EXARC 2014-02-01
Series:EXARC Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:https://exarc.net/ark:/88735/10149
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author Manolis I. Stefanakis
Antonis Vlavogilakis
author_facet Manolis I. Stefanakis
Antonis Vlavogilakis
author_sort Manolis I. Stefanakis
collection DOAJ
description Research on the technique of fresco painting in Macedonian tombs of the late classical period, is currently in progress through the experimental reproduction of the mural the Tomb of Persephone in the Grand Tumulus of Vergina. The purpose of the research is to identify the techniques used by ancient craftspeople, their tools, materials and working conditions, as well as the time required to complete this type of work. Examples of experimental archaeology projects that have taken place in Greece, the conditions and restrictions of this particular experiment and problems arising from this kind of research are presented, while some of the misconceptions about the nature of lime plaster-based wall painting techniques are also pinpointed. The requirements for such an undertaking include a) in situ observation, b) comparison of the artwork with artworks of earlier and later periods, c) the production of reconstructions and graphs, d) comparison of literature from different scientific disciplines, e) numerous experiments, and f) the acquirement of hands-on technical know-how. Demonstrating the approach methodology used in this research, several ways of approaching the actual experience of the ancient craftsman-painter are suggested. Different forms of preparatory work are proposed, including practice with different materials. Finally, two types of supports suitable for large scale lime-based painting are introduced.
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spelling doaj.art-544278c49e884d61bf8650c473d2de702024-02-26T15:06:24ZengEXARCEXARC Journal2212-89562014-02-012014/1ark:/88735/10149Reproducing the Wall Painting of the Abduction of Persephone (Vergina-Macedonia): Conditions and Restrictions for a Successful Archaeological ExperimentManolis I. StefanakisAntonis VlavogilakisResearch on the technique of fresco painting in Macedonian tombs of the late classical period, is currently in progress through the experimental reproduction of the mural the Tomb of Persephone in the Grand Tumulus of Vergina. The purpose of the research is to identify the techniques used by ancient craftspeople, their tools, materials and working conditions, as well as the time required to complete this type of work. Examples of experimental archaeology projects that have taken place in Greece, the conditions and restrictions of this particular experiment and problems arising from this kind of research are presented, while some of the misconceptions about the nature of lime plaster-based wall painting techniques are also pinpointed. The requirements for such an undertaking include a) in situ observation, b) comparison of the artwork with artworks of earlier and later periods, c) the production of reconstructions and graphs, d) comparison of literature from different scientific disciplines, e) numerous experiments, and f) the acquirement of hands-on technical know-how. Demonstrating the approach methodology used in this research, several ways of approaching the actual experience of the ancient craftsman-painter are suggested. Different forms of preparatory work are proposed, including practice with different materials. Finally, two types of supports suitable for large scale lime-based painting are introduced.https://exarc.net/ark:/88735/10149paintingwallpigmentiron ageroman eragreece
spellingShingle Manolis I. Stefanakis
Antonis Vlavogilakis
Reproducing the Wall Painting of the Abduction of Persephone (Vergina-Macedonia): Conditions and Restrictions for a Successful Archaeological Experiment
EXARC Journal
painting
wall
pigment
iron age
roman era
greece
title Reproducing the Wall Painting of the Abduction of Persephone (Vergina-Macedonia): Conditions and Restrictions for a Successful Archaeological Experiment
title_full Reproducing the Wall Painting of the Abduction of Persephone (Vergina-Macedonia): Conditions and Restrictions for a Successful Archaeological Experiment
title_fullStr Reproducing the Wall Painting of the Abduction of Persephone (Vergina-Macedonia): Conditions and Restrictions for a Successful Archaeological Experiment
title_full_unstemmed Reproducing the Wall Painting of the Abduction of Persephone (Vergina-Macedonia): Conditions and Restrictions for a Successful Archaeological Experiment
title_short Reproducing the Wall Painting of the Abduction of Persephone (Vergina-Macedonia): Conditions and Restrictions for a Successful Archaeological Experiment
title_sort reproducing the wall painting of the abduction of persephone vergina macedonia conditions and restrictions for a successful archaeological experiment
topic painting
wall
pigment
iron age
roman era
greece
url https://exarc.net/ark:/88735/10149
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AT antonisvlavogilakis reproducingthewallpaintingoftheabductionofpersephoneverginamacedoniaconditionsandrestrictionsforasuccessfularchaeologicalexperiment