Egyptian Blue Pellets from the First Century BCE Workshop of Kos (Greece): Microanalytical Investigation by Optical Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy-X-ray Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy and Micro-Raman Spectroscopy
This paper aims to expand our understanding of the processes involved in the production of the artificial pigment Egyptian blue through the scientific examination of pigments found in the first century BCE workshop of the Greek island of Kos. There, 136 Egyptian blue pellets were brought to light, i...
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MDPI AG
2020-11-01
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| Series: | Minerals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/10/12/1063 |
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| author | Ariadne Kostomitsopoulou Marketou Fabrizio Andriulo Calin Steindal Søren Handberg |
| author_facet | Ariadne Kostomitsopoulou Marketou Fabrizio Andriulo Calin Steindal Søren Handberg |
| author_sort | Ariadne Kostomitsopoulou Marketou |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This paper aims to expand our understanding of the processes involved in the production of the artificial pigment Egyptian blue through the scientific examination of pigments found in the first century BCE workshop of the Greek island of Kos. There, 136 Egyptian blue pellets were brought to light, including successfully produced pellets, as well as partially successful and unsuccessful products. This study is based on the examination of eighteen samples obtained from pellets of various textures and tones of blue, including light and dark blue pigments, coarse and fine-grained materials, and one unsuccessful pellet of dark green/grey colour. The samples were examined by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and micro-Raman spectroscopy. These complementary microanalytical techniques provide localised information about the chemical and mineralogical composition of this multicomponent material, at a single-grain level. The results shed light on the firing procedure and indicate possible sources for raw materials (beach sand, copper alloys), as well as demonstrating the use of a low-alkali starting mixture. Moreover, two different process for the production of light blue pigments were identified: (a) decreased firing time and (b) grinding of the initially produced pellet and mixing with cobalt-containing material. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T14:31:05Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6d1823cc97ba4f579deea127f7e9682c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-163X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T14:31:05Z |
| publishDate | 2020-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Minerals |
| spelling | doaj.art-6d1823cc97ba4f579deea127f7e9682c2023-11-20T22:36:40ZengMDPI AGMinerals2075-163X2020-11-011012106310.3390/min10121063Egyptian Blue Pellets from the First Century BCE Workshop of Kos (Greece): Microanalytical Investigation by Optical Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy-X-ray Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy and Micro-Raman SpectroscopyAriadne Kostomitsopoulou Marketou0Fabrizio Andriulo1Calin Steindal2Søren Handberg3Department of Archaeology, Conservation and History, University of Oslo, Blindernveien 11, 0371 Oslo, NorwaySciCult Laboratory, Department of Collection Management, Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo, St. Olavs Plass, 0130 Oslo, NorwaySciCult Laboratory, Department of Collection Management, Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo, St. Olavs Plass, 0130 Oslo, NorwayDepartment of Archaeology, Conservation and History, University of Oslo, Blindernveien 11, 0371 Oslo, NorwayThis paper aims to expand our understanding of the processes involved in the production of the artificial pigment Egyptian blue through the scientific examination of pigments found in the first century BCE workshop of the Greek island of Kos. There, 136 Egyptian blue pellets were brought to light, including successfully produced pellets, as well as partially successful and unsuccessful products. This study is based on the examination of eighteen samples obtained from pellets of various textures and tones of blue, including light and dark blue pigments, coarse and fine-grained materials, and one unsuccessful pellet of dark green/grey colour. The samples were examined by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and micro-Raman spectroscopy. These complementary microanalytical techniques provide localised information about the chemical and mineralogical composition of this multicomponent material, at a single-grain level. The results shed light on the firing procedure and indicate possible sources for raw materials (beach sand, copper alloys), as well as demonstrating the use of a low-alkali starting mixture. Moreover, two different process for the production of light blue pigments were identified: (a) decreased firing time and (b) grinding of the initially produced pellet and mixing with cobalt-containing material.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/10/12/1063Egyptian blueancient production technologypigmentsKosGraeco-Roman artmicro-Raman |
| spellingShingle | Ariadne Kostomitsopoulou Marketou Fabrizio Andriulo Calin Steindal Søren Handberg Egyptian Blue Pellets from the First Century BCE Workshop of Kos (Greece): Microanalytical Investigation by Optical Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy-X-ray Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy and Micro-Raman Spectroscopy Minerals Egyptian blue ancient production technology pigments Kos Graeco-Roman art micro-Raman |
| title | Egyptian Blue Pellets from the First Century BCE Workshop of Kos (Greece): Microanalytical Investigation by Optical Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy-X-ray Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy and Micro-Raman Spectroscopy |
| title_full | Egyptian Blue Pellets from the First Century BCE Workshop of Kos (Greece): Microanalytical Investigation by Optical Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy-X-ray Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy and Micro-Raman Spectroscopy |
| title_fullStr | Egyptian Blue Pellets from the First Century BCE Workshop of Kos (Greece): Microanalytical Investigation by Optical Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy-X-ray Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy and Micro-Raman Spectroscopy |
| title_full_unstemmed | Egyptian Blue Pellets from the First Century BCE Workshop of Kos (Greece): Microanalytical Investigation by Optical Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy-X-ray Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy and Micro-Raman Spectroscopy |
| title_short | Egyptian Blue Pellets from the First Century BCE Workshop of Kos (Greece): Microanalytical Investigation by Optical Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy-X-ray Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy and Micro-Raman Spectroscopy |
| title_sort | egyptian blue pellets from the first century bce workshop of kos greece microanalytical investigation by optical microscopy scanning electron microscopy x ray energy dispersive spectroscopy and micro raman spectroscopy |
| topic | Egyptian blue ancient production technology pigments Kos Graeco-Roman art micro-Raman |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/10/12/1063 |
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