mixed inks containing carbon, polyphenols and metallic elements
Egypt
7th Century
Source: Ghigo, T., & Albarrán Martínez, M. J. (2021). The practice of writing inside an Egyptian monastic settlement: preliminary material characterisation of the inks used on Coptic manuscripts from the Monastery of Apa Apollo at Bawit. Heritage Science, 9(62).
Recipe Details
Ingredients
carbon, polyphenols, vitriol, lead-based compounds
Preparation Steps
These inks were likely prepared by mixing carbon and iron-gall ink. The presence of iron and copper suggests the use of vitriol, which was historically mixed with polyphenols from gall nuts (p. 10). Lead may have been intentionally added as a drying agent (p. 4, p. 10).
Original Recipe Text
These inks were likely prepared by mixing carbon and iron-gall ink. The presence of iron and copper suggests the use of vitriol, which was historically mixed with polyphenols from gall nuts (p. 10). Lead may have been intentionally added as a drying agent (p. 4, p. 10).
Evidence
"In four cases, the combination of NIRR and XRF revealed the use of mixed inks (P.PalauRib. Inv. 371 and 402; P.Monts.Roca Inv. 227 and 345)."
Remarks
In P.Monts.Roca Inv. 227 and 345, the black trace of ink does not change opacity in NIR (revealing carbon), but the brownish halo disappears in NIR and becomes dark under UV (typical of plant ink/polyphenols) (p. 8). Lead was detected in P.PalauRib. Inv. 371, 402 and P.Monts.Roca 345 (p. 9, Fig 5).
Scientific Analysis
Chemical CompositionFe, Cu, Pb
Analytical Techniques
XRF
ultraviolet reflected photography (UVR)
near-infrared reflectography (NIRR)
Certainty Level
Confirmed
Instrumentally Verified
Verified
Metadata
Material Type
ink
Paper TypePapyrus
ColorBrown
RegionEgypt
Approx. Year650
Source Information
AuthorGhigo, T., & Albarrán Martínez, M. J.
CollectionMonastery of Apa Apollo at Bawit
Language
N/A
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