Multi-Scale Characterization of Unusual Green and Blue Pigments from the Pharaonic Town of Amara West, Nubia

Kate Fulcher,Ruth Siddall,Neal Spencer,Trevor F Emmett

doi:10.3390/heritage4030145

Abstract

Pigments from paint palettes and a grindstone excavated from the pharaonic town of Amara West (c. 1300–1050 BCE), which lies between the Second and Third Cataracts of the Nile, were examined using polarized light microscopy, attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Most of the pigments were consistent with the typical ancient Egyptian palette, but the greens and some blues were unusual. Two types of green pigment were identified, chlorite (varieties clinochlore and penninite) and copper chloride hydroxide (atacamite type). The former constitutes a type of green earth which has only rarely been identified in pharaonic Egyptian contexts and may be more widespread than is currently reported. The majority of the blue pigment samples were Egyptian blue, but some were found to be a blue earth, the main component of which being sodic amphibole riebeckite. The use of this mineral as a pigment has not previously been reported in any Nile Valley context. These results prompt questions around local and potentially indigenous practices within an ancient colonial context, and highlight avenues for future research.

Highlights

The analysis of pigments can reveal the material strategies being utilized by ancient populations, including the use of locally available pigments or those supplied or traded from elsewhere, and the societal frameworks that may restrict access to certain materials
Laboratory analyses of a range of pigment samples from Amara West indicated a broad alignment with contemporaneous practices in Egypt, with the use of red and yellow ochres, charcoal black, gypsum, and man-made Egyptian blue
Four palettes found in the Western Suburb bore deposits of grey-blue pigments, comprising riebeckite-containing blue earths

Summary

Introduction

The analysis of pigments can reveal the material strategies being utilized by ancient populations, including the use of locally available pigments or those supplied or traded from elsewhere, and the societal frameworks that may restrict access to certain materials. Samples can be exported from Sudan with the generous permission of the National Corporation for Antiquities & Museums, facilitating a wider rraannggee ooff aannaallyyttiiccaall tteecchhnniiqquueess. EAmll aotfetrhiaelmdiastceursisaelddihsecruescsoemd heserfreocmomthees lfartotmer ethxecalvaattteiornesx.cAavlaatrigoensn.uAmblaerrgoefnthuempbiegrmoefntth-reelpaitgemd efinntd-rseilnattehdefwinadlsleidntothwenwcaolmleed ftroowmnbcuoimldeinfgroEm13b.1u4i,ldaifnagciEli1ty3.n14o,rtahfaocf itlhiteyDneoprtuhtyo’fs tRheesDideepnucetyf’osuRnedseiddeenacrelyfoinunthdeetdoweanr’lsy history, comprising three long storage magazines with vaulted roofs, accessed via a service corridor This building was later modified, with the north-eastern part being transformed into a workshop (E13.31), and the remainder was integrated into a large house (E13.7). Heritage 2021, 4 Heritage 2021, 4 in the town’s history, comprising three long storage magazines with vaulted roofs, accessed via a service corridor This building was later modified, with the north-eastern part being transformed into a workshop (E13.31), and the remainder was integrated into a lTahrgeeehasotuesren (pEa1r3t.7o)f. Sgceaannrdanigneteagnrdatiinotnegtrimatieonvatirmieedvaanrdiedaraendstaatreedstiantetdhienrtehseurletssufoltrs feoarcehacshamsapmle-. pInlete. rIpnrteetraptrioetnatoifotnhoefrtehseulrtessuusletsduMseAdTMCHA!TvCeHrs!iovner3s.i1o2n(3w.1w2w(w.crwywsta.clrimysptaalcitm.cpoamc,t.accocmes,saecdcoens1se6dSeopnte1m6 bSeerp2t0e2m1b) ewrit2h02th1e) CwriythstathlleogCrraypshtaylOlopgeranpDhaytaObpaseendDataatasbetavseerdsiaotna CseOt Dve-irnsoiorgn 1C4OJDan-iunaorryg22002211(.0w1w.1w4 .(cwrywstwal.clorygsrataplhloyg.nraept/hcyo.dn/et,/acoccde/s,saecdceosnse1d6 oSnep1t6emSebpetrem20b2e1r).2021)

Reesults

Green Pigments

Discussion