Beck L. auteur aut IRD Messager C. auteur aut IRD Coelho S. auteur aut IRD Caffy Ingrid auteur aut IRD Delque-Kolic E. auteur aut IRD Perron M. auteur aut IRD Mussard S. auteur aut IRD Dumoulin J. P. auteur aut IRD Moreau C. auteur aut IRD Gonzalez V. auteur aut IRD Foy E. auteur aut IRD Miserque F. auteur aut IRD Bonnot-Diconne C. auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf born digital access Lead carbonates were used as cosmetic and pigment since Antiquity. The pigment, known as lead white, was generally composed of cerussite and hydrocerussite. Unlike most ancient pigments, lead white was obtained by a synthetic route involving metallic lead, vinegar and organic matter. Fermentation of organic matter produces heat and CO2 emission, leading to the formation of carbonates. As lead white is formed by trapping CO2, radiocarbon (C-14) dating can thus be considered. We have developed a protocol to prepare lead white. We selected modern pigments for the experiment implementation and ancient cosmetic and paintings for dating. After characterization of the samples by XRD, thermal decomposition of cerussite at various temperatures was explored in order to select the appropriate conditions for painting samples. CO2 extraction yield, SEM and XPS were used to characterize the process. Thermal decomposition at 400 degrees C was successfully applied to mixtures of lead white with other paint components (oil as binder, calcite as filler/extender) and to historical samples. We obtained radiocarbon measurements in agreement with the expected dates, demonstrating that thermal decomposition at 400 degrees C is efficient for a selective decomposition of lead white and that paintings can be directly C-14-dated by dating lead white pigment. specialized cerussite gilt leather lead white painting radiocarbon dating thermal decomposition 020 064 112 61 5 1345-1356 2019 0033-8222 Radiocarbon 2018 Conference, Trondheim (NOR), 2018/06/17-22 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010077788 10.1017/rdc.2019.64 0033-8222 [F B010077788] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010077788 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/intranet/publi/2020/01/010077788.pdf Accès réservé (Intranet de l'IRD) IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2020-02-05 2025-02-24 fdi:010077788 fre