Exploring the Material Composition of Hellenistic Painted Stucco in the Southern Coastal Plain of Palestine: Insights from Ashdod-Yam, Yavneh-Yam, and Tel Ya'oz By Alexander Fantalkin

https://www.academia.edu/145582392/Exploring_the_Material_Composition_of_Hellenistic_Painted_Stucco_in_the_Southern_Coastal_Plain_of_Palestine_Insights_from_Ashdod_Yam_Yavneh_Yam_and_Tel_Yaoz?email_work_card=title Fragments of painted plaster (stucco) recovered from walls of buildings attributed to the Hellenistic (Seleucid) strata at the sites of Ashdod-Yam, Yavneh-Yam, and Tel Ya'oz (Israel) were subjected to different analyses in order to gain information on the composition, microstructure, production methods, and origin of both their plaster and color pigments. Macroscopic examination, together with SEM-EDS, FTIR, and XRD analyses, has been employed for this purpose. Wall plaster from all sampled fragments was found to be made of a calcite binder mixed with different aggregates, including quartz sand, crushed shells, and ceramic inclusions. Compositional and microstructural analyses indicate that pigments were mixed with fine plaster powder. Plaster, mortar, and pigments of the analyzed stucco fragments were likely locally sourced, contributing to our understanding of regional practices in the southern Levant during the Seleucid period. https://carmel.haifa.ac.il/pdfviewer_2025-1/ ...