Fig. 5

Paint cross-section from a light pink flesh tone from her forehead (sample 40). a Sample location b light microscopic image, dark field. c Corresponding SEM backscattered-electron image, and EDX maps (area marked in c) of: d mercury, e lead (Pb-M), f calcium, g silicon, h iron, i aluminium. j Light microscopic image showing location of μ-XRPD analysis: k distribution map of hydrocerussite, l distribution map of cerussite. m Light microscopic image showing location of FTIR–ATR analysis: n distribution map of the 836 cm⁻¹ band characteristic of cerussite (min. intensity = − 0.019; max. intensity = 0.037), o distribution map of the 1516 cm⁻¹ band characteristic of lead carboxylates (min. intensity = − 0.047; max. intensity = 0.138). (Note the dark brown rectangle in the middle of the cross-section visible in m, which is the result of beam damage from µ-XRPD analysis. FTIR–ATR analysis was done after µ-XRPD analysis; it was not possible to remove the damage by polishing away the surface of the cross-section. The damaged area shows a very low carboxylate signal, meaning that the lead soaps and organics have decomposed.)