2026-10-14T10:27:30Z https://api.figshare.com/v2/oai

oai:figshare.com:article/34025055 2026-09-29T16:13:57Z category_1 category_4 category_14 category_21 category_24 category_272 category_873 category_734 portal_63 item_type_6 month_year_09_2026

In Situ Ultraviolet Fluorescence Spectroscopy for the Characterization of Translucent Calcite Coatings over Prehistoric Cave Art Yohan Boulard (25137894) Thiéry Guillou (25137897) Carole Fritz (25137900) Gilles Tosello (23664816) Maguy Jaber (1613947) Philippe Walter (2014072) Biophysics Biochemistry Molecular Biology Biotechnology Evolutionary Biology Environmental Sciences not elsewhere classified Chemical Sciences not elsewhere classified Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified similar crystallographic nature providing stratigraphic information organic impurities embedded noninvasive techniques probe built installation set translucent calcite coatings characterize calcite veils suitable fluorescence model prehistoric cave art oldest drawings known calcium carbonate coatings calcium carbonate speleothem calcite ultraviolet fluorescence chauvet cave carbonate matrices working distances work explores processed according often invisible naked eye hot charcoals harsh conditions distinguishing limestone data collected concretion layers The conservation of prehistoric cave art involves complex taphonomic processes such as the formation of calcium carbonate coatings. Often invisible to the naked eye, these deposits are essential for understanding the evolution of the artworks and monitoring their preservation. While few noninvasive techniques probe the concretion layers, this work explores the potential of ultraviolet fluorescence to characterize calcite veils in the Chauvet cave, an Upper Paleolithic site displaying some of the oldest drawings known to date. Here, we show this technique is capable of distinguishing limestone from speleothem calcite, despite their similar crystallographic nature, thanks to organic impurities embedded in the carbonate matrices. A custom-built installation set up in the harsh conditions of the cave enabled ultraviolet fluorescence spectra to be measured at working distances of up to 2.5 m. Data collected in situ were processed according to a suitable fluorescence model, providing stratigraphic information on the translucent calcite layer covering the drawings and highlighting significant spatial heterogeneity in the concretions. Additionally, we observed localized orange emissions suggesting local thermal alteration of calcium carbonate by hot charcoals. 2026-09-29T00:00:00Z Text Journal contribution 10.1021/acsomega.6c05061.s001 https://figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/In_Situ_Ultraviolet_Fluorescence_Spectroscopy_for_the_Characterization_of_Translucent_Calcite_Coatings_over_Prehistoric_Cave_Art/34025055 CC BY-NC 4.0