The nature of ancient Egyptian copper-containing carbon inks is revealed by synchrotron radiation based X-ray microscopy
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The nature of ancient Egyptian copper-containing carbon inks is revealed by synchrotron radiation based X-ray microscopy. / Christiansen, Thomas; Cotte, Marine; Loredo-Portales, René; Lindelof, Poul Erik; Mortensen, Kell; Ryholt, Kim; Larsen, Sine.
I: Scientific Reports, 10.11.2017.Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskrift › Tidsskriftartikel › Forskning › fagfællebedømt
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T1 - The nature of ancient Egyptian copper-containing carbon inks is revealed by synchrotron radiation based X-ray microscopy
AU - Christiansen, Thomas
AU - Cotte, Marine
AU - Loredo-Portales, René
AU - Lindelof, Poul Erik
AU - Mortensen, Kell
AU - Ryholt, Kim
AU - Larsen, Sine
PY - 2017/11/10
Y1 - 2017/11/10
N2 - For the first time it is shown that carbon black inks on ancient Egyptian papyri from different time periods and geographical regions contain copper. The inks have been investigated using synchrotron-based micro X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and micro X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy (XANES) at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF). The composition of the copper-containing carbon inks showed no significant differences that could be related to time periods or the geographical locations. This renders it probable that the same technology for ink production was used throughout Egypt for a period spanning at least 300 years. It is argued that the black pigment material (soot) for these inks was obtained as by-products of technical metallurgy. The copper (Cu) can be correlated with the following three main components: cuprite (Cu2O), azurite (Cu3[CO3]2[OH]2) and malachite (Cu2CO3[OH]2).
AB - For the first time it is shown that carbon black inks on ancient Egyptian papyri from different time periods and geographical regions contain copper. The inks have been investigated using synchrotron-based micro X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and micro X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy (XANES) at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF). The composition of the copper-containing carbon inks showed no significant differences that could be related to time periods or the geographical locations. This renders it probable that the same technology for ink production was used throughout Egypt for a period spanning at least 300 years. It is argued that the black pigment material (soot) for these inks was obtained as by-products of technical metallurgy. The copper (Cu) can be correlated with the following three main components: cuprite (Cu2O), azurite (Cu3[CO3]2[OH]2) and malachite (Cu2CO3[OH]2).
U2 - 10.1038/s41598-017-15652-7
DO - 10.1038/s41598-017-15652-7
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 29127402
JO - Scientific Reports
JF - Scientific Reports
SN - 2045-2322
ER -
ID: 186538279