Pigment and terracotta analyses of Hellenistic figurines in CretePigment and terracotta analyses of Hellenistic figurines in Crete Peer-Reviewed Journal Publication Δημοσίευση σε Περιοδικό με Κριτές 2015-10-092003enThe results of the analyses performed on blue, black, brown, orange, white and purple pigments decorating Hellenistic figurines, excavated in a rock-cut tomb in the archaeological zone of Chania, Crete, Greece, are presented. Different spectroscopic techniques, such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence identified the compounds present in the chromatic layers. X-ray diffraction analysis gave complementary information and further support to the spectral assignments. Optical microscopy revealed the nature and sequence of the pigmented layer on the terracotta. Several precious pigments, such as Egyptian blue for the bluish areas, Tyrian purple for the purple ones, and the rare huntite for the white-pigmented areas were identified among the studied pigmented areas. The pigment analysis provides information on the technical aspects related to terracotta manufacture and preservation, and promotes historical indications on cultural and commercial changes among the Mediterranean civilisations.Δημοσίευση σε επιστημονικό περιοδικό http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Analytica Chimica Acta4971-2209–225 Maravelaki Pagona Μαραβελακη Παγωνα Kallithrakas-Kontos Nikolaos Καλλιθρακας-Κοντος Νικολαος Elsevier Hellenistic pigments Terracotta terra cotta terracotta Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence X-ray diffraction