mixed ink (carbon mixed with plant and iron-gall ink)

Ingredients

carbon, soot, iron, manganese, sulphur, vitriol, potassium, calcium

Preparation Steps

Original Recipe Text

Specifically identified in P.Oxy.3637 (dated 623 CE). The ink consists of carbon pigment mixed with iron-gall ink components. The presence of iron, manganese, and sulphur is consistent with the use of vitriol (a mixture of iron, copper, and zinc sulphates). Potassium and calcium are also present, likely from the binder or the plant extracts (gallnuts) used (p. 5).

Evidence

"iron was found in the inked areas on P.Oxy.3637... sulphur, iron, and manganese peaks are higher in the inked area than in the papyrus... Potassium and calcium, usually associated with the binder or the gallnuts used to produce iron-gall ink, are also consistently higher in the inked areas."

Remarks

This represents an early example of a transition towards iron-gall inks in Egypt. The iron-gall components likely served as 'extenders' to the carbon-based writing medium (p. 9). This sample (P.Oxy.3637) also showed higher intensities of potassium in its papyrus support, possibly reflecting the original environment of the plant (p. 4).