Archaeometric analysis of painted tombstones (IV century BC) from Paestum (Italy)

50 graves, painted by fresco technique, have been analyzed by micro-Raman Spectroscopy and X-Ray Fluorescence in order to identify the artists’ palettes and attempt to differentiate various workshops. Before sampling, points of interest were selected by a preliminary in situ XRF analysis. Then, samples were collected and analyzed in laboratory by micro-Raman Spectroscopy. We sampled from Green, Blue, Red, Yellow and Black areas, from every grave, and created a database where we put together analytical and historical data. Red and Yellow are obtained by Hematite and Goethite, respectively; Blue is always Egyptian Blue; Black contains Carbon or Magnetite, or a mix of them. Interesting data came from Green areas. We found 2 mixtures: Egyptian Blue and Yellow Ochre, or Yellow Ochre and Carbon. This peculiarity could be useful in the future for the discrimination of the different workshops.