This research delves into ancient pigment practices among the Goya-Malabrigo societies in the Upper Delta of the Paraná River during the Late Holocene. Utilising Raman microspectroscopy and X-ray diffraction, we analysed 33 samples from six archaeological sites and four natural outcrops. Our discoveries uncovered hematite in red pigments across diverse materials (potsherds, shells, human bones, and sediments), anatase adorning ceramics with whitish tones, and charcoal creating darker shades. These findings not only contribute to the understanding of the mineral composition of ancient colours used by Indigenous people in domestic and funerary contexts but also set the first stage for forthcoming provenance research, integrating multiple archaeometric techniques to unravel the origins of these compelling pigments.
The authenticity of the Shroud of Turin, also known as the ‘Síndone’ or ‘Holy Shroud’, faces significant doubt based on scientific evidence. Carbon-14 testing conducted decades ago placed its origin in the Middle Ages, raising questions about its connection to Jesus Christ. This article highlights an anatomical anomaly: the hand placement covering the genitals appears inconsistent with human proportions, suggesting a possible artistic intervention.
In this work, we present ArchaeoPyDating, a new version of the archaeo_dating Matlab software used for archaeomagnetic dating. This updated version introduces a transition from the original Matlab code to Python, enabling the software to be presented as an online tool. By offering a web-based interface, ArchaeoPyDating eliminates the need for licenses, program installations, or programming expertise, making it widely accessible to users through various devices and browsers. This enhanced accessibility holds great potential for popularizing the archaeomagnetic dating method. This study presents both the new online version of the tool and a Python module that encompasses all the essential classes and functions required for conducting archaeomagnetic dating in a command-line environment, which can be useful for advanced users.