Analyzing Pigments in the Book of the Dead Using XRF Spectroscopy
The first scan we did was on an area of red pigment in the vignette towards the right edge of the papyrus fragment (see arrow).
The XRF was positioned over the object and after a few minutes enough data was gathered for interpretation.
The results show a large peak of iron, which suggests that the pigment is an iron-based pigment such as red iron oxide.
We repeated this process several times in other areas on this fragment and the following pigments were indicated:
Red – red ochre
Yellow – yellow ochre
Green – malachite
Blue – Egyptian blue
Black – carbon black
These findings are consistent with the pigments that we know were available and often used by the Ancient Egyptians (see previous blog, Pigments and Inks Typically Used in Papyrus).
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This post is part of a series by Conservators and Curators on papyrus and in particular the Book of the Dead of the Goldworker of Amun, Sebekmose, a 24 foot long papyrus in the Brooklyn Museum’s collection. This unique papyrus currently in 8 large sections has never been exhibited due to condition. Thanks to a generous grant from the Leon Levy Foundation, the entire papyrus is now undergoing conservation treatment. The conservation work is expected to last until fall 2011 when all 8 sections will be exhibited together for the first time in the Mummy Chamber. As each section is conserved, it will join those already on exhibition until eventually the public will see the Book of the Dead in its entirety.
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BurningEagleArt:
January 26th, 2011 at 10:09 am
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brooklynmuseum:
January 26th, 2011 at 10:21 am
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January 26th, 2011 at 10:24 am
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January 26th, 2011 at 10:26 am
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January 26th, 2011 at 1:47 pm
Analyzing Pigments in the Book of the Dead Using XRF Spectroscopy @brooklynmuseum http://bit.ly/dGQDHh #egyptology #egypt #papyrus
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January 26th, 2011 at 4:27 pm
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January 26th, 2011 at 6:14 pm
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January 26th, 2011 at 9:43 pm
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January 27th, 2011 at 4:42 am
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January 27th, 2011 at 4:45 am
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Brooklyn Museum: Community: bloggers@brooklynmuseum » Looking for Adhesives and Identifying Binders in the Book of the Dead Using FTIR:
January 27th, 2011 at 9:43 am
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pratthad:
January 27th, 2011 at 11:05 am
Pratt HA&D students work with Brooklyn Museum conservators—analyze pigments in Book of the Dead via XRF Spectroscopy: http://bit.ly/iaenaN
drszucker:
January 27th, 2011 at 11:07 am
Pratt art history students work w/Brooklyn Muse conservators—analyze pigments in Book of the Dead via XRF Spectroscopy: http://bit.ly/iaenaN
Link Love: 1/28/2011 « The Bigger Picture:
January 28th, 2011 at 7:44 am
[...] XRF Spectoro-what?? Check out a Star Trek-like analysis of an ancient Egyptian scroll over on the Brooklyn Museum’s blog. [...]
MayaMeritay:
January 30th, 2011 at 3:55 pm
Analyzing Pigments in the Book of the Dead Using XRF Spectroscopy http://t.co/MMLfM48 via @brooklynmuseum
airtonjo:
February 5th, 2011 at 12:14 pm
Analyzing Pigments in the Book of the Dead Using XRF Spectroscopy – Caitlin Jenkins: Brooklyn Museum Blog http://t.co/gpWafJX
Alaska State Museum Bulletin 45 |:
October 19th, 2011 at 8:19 pm
[...] , pigment identification http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/community/blogosphere/2011/01/26/analyzi ng-pigments-in-the-book-of-the… , and other questions that can investigated with elemental analysis. We’ll keep you posted as we [...]