Calcite moonmilk of microbial origin in the etruscan Tomba degli scudi in Tarquinia, Italy
A white deposit covering the walls in the Stanza degli Scudi of the Tomba degli Scudi, Tarquinia, Italy,
has been investigated. In this chamber, which is still preserved from any kind of intervention such as
cleaning and sanitization, ancient Etruscans painted shields to celebrate the military power of the
Velcha family. Scanning electron microscopy analysis has revealed the presence of characteristic
nanostructures corresponding to a calcite secondary mineral deposit called moonmilk. Analysis of the