Rock, pigments, and weathering. A preliminary assessment of the challenges and potential of physical and biochemical studies on rock art from southern Ethiopia

摘要: Abstract Over the past decade, physical and chemical analyses have been widely applied to study of rock art contexts, particularly examine composition paintings for direct radiometric dating. Different sampling analytical methods from different parts world. However, in Africa these are still at an embryonic stage. The results often problematic terms reliability, mainly as concerns chronology. This is due a wide range fossil active biodegradation processes affecting surfaces pigments; such underestimated. paper aims discuss state undertaken on African urgent need establish protocols best practices analysis. preliminary new project southern Ethiopia presented here example integrated context, combining Archaeology Earth Sciences. Preliminary field observations SEM-EDS analyses, run samples two shelters Borana area, reveal presence complex set physical, chemical, biological weathering with manifold effects evidence.