Spectroscopic Investigation of a 17th-Century Illuminated Parchment from S. Maria di Montalto Church (Messina, Italy)

In this paper, a combined approach involving X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy, micro-Raman spectroscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy in Attenuated Total Reflectance geometry (FTIR-ATR), was employed to characterize, both at elemental and molecular scales, the raw materials and pigmenting agents used for the realization/decoration of a 17th-century illuminated parchment belonging to the S. Maria di Montalto Church (Messina, Italy). In particular, the analysis of both blank and decorated areas allowed for the identification of original materials and later additions, as well as degradation patterns affecting the parchment surface. Notably, the obtained results represent a fundamental step toward the development of targeted, minimally invasive conservation strategies, aimed at ensuring the long-term preservation of this important historical object.