April 2013

Dr. Hillary Becker (University of Mississippi): The science of Roman wall painting: Pliny, pigments, and polychromy

The discovery of the only known pigment shop in Ancient Rome revealed an array of colors in their raw, mineral form waiting to be sold to wall painters. Roman pigments provide a surprising opportunity to understand how science can be used in archaeology, revealing what pigments were present in the shop and, potentially, from where they originated, as well as exploring the supply-side economy of Roman painting and the steps by which these pigments went from the mine, to a shop, to the walls of a Roman house.

April 23, 2013, Lusa Pastry Café, 6pm - 7pm.