Mineral Pigments in Archaeology: Their Analysis and the Range of Available Materials

2018/05/08 by Ruth Siddall · 1 citation
Arts and Humanities · Earth and Planetary Sciences · Chemistry · #Cultural Heritage Materials Analysis #Building materials and conservation #Conservation Techniques and Studies #Mineral #Archaeological science #Archaeology #Pigment #Range (aeronautics) #Geology #Chemistry #Art #History #Visual arts #Materials science #Organic chemistry

paper · pdf · doi:10.3390/min8050201

openalex publication_date 2018/05/08 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29

Abstract

Naturally occurring minerals or their synthetic analogues have been important as pigments used in artistic and cosmetic contexts in global antiquity. The analysis and identification of mineral pigments, though routine to the petrologist or mineralogist, also requires specialist knowledge of the archaeological contexts and available technologies and trade. This paper attempts to present an analytical approach to the study of mineral pigments in archaeology and also introduces the range of mineral pigments encountered in works of art and painted objects on archaeological sites and in museums. It attempts to cover the range of mineral and synthetic inorganic pigments used in global cultures from to the early Medieval period.

Citations

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Cited by

• Cueva de las Manos [wikipedia]

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