Diamond Publications - Search Results

Search Again...

These results only include publications that have been reviewed and processed by Diamond Light Source. To also view papers that have not yet been processed click here.

You can use the folder icon under Actions to collate papers as required. You can then click on View Folder in the left-hand navigation to review and/or download your folder.

One item found (0 items not approved).

Instruments / Technical Area	Publication Details	Published	Actions
I18-Microfocus Spectroscopy	Insights into the composition of ancient Egyptian red and black inks on papyri achieved by synchrotron-based microanalyses Thomas Christiansen , Marine Cotte , Wout De Nolf , Elouan Mouro , Juan Reyes-Herrera , Steven De Meyer , Frederik Vanmeert , Nati Salvado , Victor Gonzalez , Poul Erik Lindelof , Kell Mortensen , Kim Ryholt , Koen Janssens , Sine Larsen Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences 54 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2004534117 Diamond Proposal Number(s): [23348] Open Access Show Abstract ▼ Abstract: A hitherto unknown composition is highlighted in the red and black inks preserved on ancient Egyptian papyri from the Roman period (circa 100 to 200 CE). Synchrotron-based macro–X-ray fluorescence (XRF) mapping brings to light the presence of iron (Fe) and lead (Pb) compounds in the majority of the red inks inscribed on 12 papyrus fragments from the Tebtunis temple library. The iron-based compounds in the inks can be assigned to ocher, notably due to the colocalization of Fe with aluminum, and the detection of hematite (Fe2O3) by micro–X-ray diffraction. Using the same techniques together with micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Pb is shown to be associated with fatty acid phosphate, sulfate, chloride, and carboxylate ions. Moreover, micro-XRF maps reveal a peculiar distribution and colocalization of Pb, phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S), which are present at the micrometric scale resembling diffused “coffee rings” surrounding the ocher particles imbedded in the red letters, and at the submicrometric scale concentrated in the papyrus cell walls. A similar Pb, P, and S composition was found in three black inks, suggesting that the same lead components were employed in the manufacture of carbon-based inks. Bearing in mind that pigments such as red lead (Pb3O4) and lead white (hydrocerussite [Pb3(CO3)2(OH)2] and/or cerussite [PbCO3]) were not detected, the results presented here suggest that the lead compound in the ink was used as a drier rather than as a pigment. Accordingly, the study calls for a reassessment of the composition of lead-based components in ancient Mediterranean pigments.	Oct 2020

Instruments / Technical Area

Publication Details

Published

Actions

I18-Microfocus Spectroscopy

Insights into the composition of ancient Egyptian red and black inks on papyri achieved by synchrotron-based microanalyses