Characterization and alteration studies of valencian socarrats

The need for a conservation-restoration intervention on a series of socarrats originating from archaeological excavations in Manises (Valencia) and the lack of studies about them have motivated research into the materials and technologies used for their production. The lack of research work into the study of Valencian socarrats presently outlines certain discussion about its technique. However, its ornamental technique would be better linked with wall paintings than with ceramic ones, thus endowing these pieces exceptional singularity and difficulty for their intervention. Sixteen socarrats stored in the Municipal Ceramics Museum in Manises have been characterised by a series of analytical techniques: OM, SEM-EDX, XRD, FTIR, VMP (optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, voltamperometry of microparticles). A fired ceramic body constitutes the support of a carbonated slaked lime layer, painted with hematite red and carbon black pigments. As a result of contamination during the burial period, to some extent calcite had converted into gypsum; pigments show a severe loss of cohesion and adhesion to the lime layer. Potential treatments to remove surface dirt must be performed after taking the situation into account. No relevant contamination of soluble salts was detected. This study was undertaken by analysing chromatic changes in a series of replicas submitted to artificial ageing. La necesidad de desarrollar un procedimiento metodológico de restauración sobre un conjunto de socarrats procedentes de colecciones privadas y excavaciones arqueológicas llevadas a cabo en Manises, junto con la escasez de estudios relacionados con este tema, han determinado llevar a cabo una investigación sobre sus materiales y tecnología de producción. Los socarrats son piezas cerámicas poco estudiadas y sobre las que existe gran controversia a la hora de definir su técnica, parece ser que su método decorativo estaría más vinculado con el de la pintura mural que con el cerámico propiamente dicho siendo por ello, cerámicas de singularidad excepcional y que plantean gran dificultad a la hora de ser intervenidas. La investigación se ha llevado a cabo sobre dieciséis socarrats valencianos procedentes del Museo Municipal de Cerámica de Manises mediante diversas técnicas analíticas: microscopia óptica, microscopia electrónica de barrido y microanálisis por dispersión de energías