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Javad Abbasi, Roya Bahadori, Federica Cappa, Dubravka Jembrih-Simbuerger, Manfred Schreiner, Seyyed Iraj Beheshti,
year 7, Issue 23 (5-2023)
Abstract

Abstract
In this study, the colors used in the Inscription and mural paintings of tomb of Ghadmagah in Neishabour were analyzed by instrumental analytical methods. Ghadmagah is located in the center of the Zabarkhan section, on the Neyshabur-Mashhad Road. Ghadmagah tomb-garden is located in the village of the same name 24 kilometers east of Neyshabur, Iran, and was built in the early seventeenth century. According to historical sources Ghadmagah was built in the early eleventh century AH (ca. 1600 AD), and the origin of this site dates back to Islam. Some believe that the Ghadmagah monument was designed by Sheikh Baha’i. The architectural decoration of this building is most importantly tiling, plastering and mural paintings. Given that the building was built in different periods and originally dates back to the Safavid period. The present study aimed to study the color bedding and pigments in the Inscription and mural paintings of the building to find out what period the mural paintings in the building belong to. Mural painting is one of the Iran arts that based on the signs of old paint can be pursued to pre-history. One of the most important issues in the study of historical paintings, especially mural paint, is the identification of the nature of paintings used to decorate the walls. Identification of pigments is also important not only from the perspective of archeology but also in terms of the history of art and knowledge of degradation processes and the development of monument conservation strategies is also important. In this study, instrumental methods such as scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), Fourier- transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), polarized light microscopy (PLM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and micro-Raman spectroscopy have been used for elemental and compound microanalysis of the samples. 
Keywords: Pigment, Neyshabur Ghadmagah, Inscription, Mural Painting, Analytical Methods.

Introduction
The use of physical and chemical analysis methods to identify the constituents of works of art, before any intervention occurs, plays a key role; because the results of such an analysis are very useful for deciding whether to conserve or regenerate these materials. In addition, each of the different pigments can have a different regeneration process. On the other hand, the analysis of ancient paintings may provide information about the artistic techniques and visual materials used in the past and expand the knowledge of the customs and techniques of ancient societies. 
In fact, physical and chemical analysis provides useful information about the range of pigments present in an area and knowledge of dye preparation techniques and applications. In addition, the study of the originality and origin of pigments allows the discovery of connections and trade lines. On the other hand, restorers need detailed information about the chemical composition of the materials used in a work before restoration work. 
Identifying the materials and pigments used in this building is one of the most important questions of this research, and then by considering the history of using pigments, we can understand the dating of the paintings in this building. Do these paintings belong to the period of construction of the building, ie the Safavid period, or were they added to the building in later historical periods? Depending on the type of painting pigments, the colors can be restored. 

Materials and Methods 
In this research, empirical and analytical methods have been used to achieve the goals. Data collection is based on information from library studies and instrumental methods. The complete information of the devices used in this research is fully described in the Materials and Methods section. 
In this study, instrumental methods such as scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), Fourier- transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), polarized light microscopy (PLM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and micro-Raman spectroscopy have been used for elemental and compound microanalysis of the samples. 

Data 
The result of the analysis showed that the blue color was used in inscription was artificial ultramarine (Na6-10Al6Si6O24S2-4) on a gypsum layer (CaSO4.2H2O) also gold color showed presence of copper and zinc alloy in the ratio of 10:1 in gold color. The blue color used in the mural paintings was also artificial ultramarine on a red layer of ochre. The result of micro-Raman showed that green pigment was copper phthalocyanine (phthalocyanine green). The results of identification of the orange-red revealed the presence of a mixture of red lead (minium) and red ochre (iron oxide) in the sample. Also, according to the obtained results, ochre and mixture of iron and manganese oxides were used in red and brown colors. 

Discussion 
The inscription at the top of the building used two colors, blue and gold, the result of the analysis showed that the blue color was artificial ultramarine (Na6-10Al6Si6O24S2-4) on a gypsum layer (CaSO4.2H2O). The absence of minerals such as pyrite and calcite in the PLM images indicates that the ultramarine is synthetic. The blue color used in the mural paintings was also artificial ultramarine on a red layer of ochre. The result of micro-Raman showed that green pigment was copper phthalocyanine (phthalocyanine green). A synthetic organic material composed of chlorinated copper phthalocyanine (chlorinated Phthalocyanine blue). Phthalocyanine green was introduced as an industrial pigment in 1938. This pigment is unaffected by light, heat, and chemicals the use of this pigment showed that the mural paintings was restored in Contemporary period. The results of identification of the orange-red revealed the presence of a mixture of red lead (minium) and red ochre (iron oxide) in the sample. Also, according to the obtained results, ochre and mixture of iron and manganese oxides were used in red and brown colors. FTIR results showed the presence of organic material only in green, indicating that it was the only reconstituted pigment, but no other organic material was detected in other colors, which may be due to the instability of organic materials during the time. 
Green phthalocyanine copper is a new pigment that may have been used to restore painting. This pigment was first used in 1320 AD, but it is not clear on what date this pigment was used to repair or reconstruct this paint. Due to the presence of oil in the FTIR spectrum of this color, it seems that unlike other colors, oil has been used to close this color, and the technique used in this color is different from other colors. 

Conclusion 
Identification of materials and pigments showed that the paintings are due to the presence of artificial ultramarine, were done in the Qajar period (1789-1925) and presence of phthalocyanine green in green color showed that this mural painting was restored in Contemporary period. 
The result of the analysis showed that the blue color was used in inscription was artificial ultramarine (Na6-10Al6Si6O24S2-4) on a gypsum layer (CaSO4.2H2O). The absence of minerals such as pyrite and calcite in the PLM images indicates that the ultramarine is synthetic. The results of identification of gold color showed presence of copper and zinc alloy in the ratio of 10:1 in gold color. The blue color used in the mural paintings was also artificial ultramarine on a red layer of ochre. The result of micro-Raman showed that green pigment was copper phthalocyanine (phthalocyanine green). A synthetic organic material composed of chlorinated copper phthalocyanine (chlorinated Phthalocyanine blue). Phthalocyanine green was introduced as an industrial pigment in 1938. This pigment is unaffected by light, heat, and chemicals the use of this pigment showed that the mural paintings was restored in Contemporary period. The results of identification of the orange-red revealed the presence of a mixture of red lead (minium) and red ochre (iron oxide) in the sample. Also, according to the obtained results, ochre and mixture of iron and manganese oxides were used in red and brown colors. Identification of materials and pigments showed that the paintings are due to the presence of artificial ultramarine, were done in the Qajar period (1789-1925) and presence of phthalocyanine green in green color showed that this mural painting was restored in Contemporary period. FTIR results showed the presence of organic material only in green, indicating that it was the only reconstituted pigment, but no other organic material was detected in other colors, which may be due to the instability of organic materials during the time.


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