THE CHARACTERIZATION OF WALL PAINTINGS OF BYZANTINE PERIOD ROCK-CUT CHURCHES IN CAPPODOCCIAREGIONATPERISTREMA, IHLARA VALLEY: BAHATTIN SAMANLIGI, SAINT GEORGE (KIRDAMALTI) AND DIREKLI CHURCHES

Abstract

This study investigates the characterization of wall paintings of Bahattin Samanligi, Saint George (Kirkdamalti) and Direkli churches which are Byzantine period rock-cut structures in Cappodoccia region at Peristrema, Ihlara valley. In order to reveal the features of the paintings, the stratigraphy and the composition of the carriers and plaster layers are analyzed through ESEM-EDX (Philips-FET XL 3D-ESEM-FEG OXFORD X MAX 80 mm(2) Xray Detector/INCA software), X Ray Diffraction, X Ray Fluorescence, XRD-XRF INXITU/DUETTO, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy instrumental methods along with calcination, acidic treatment and layer chromatography methods.