red lead, scale insects (cochineal), cochineal red A, Congo red
Yemen
20th Century
Source: A. Regourd & K. Scheper, Shifting sands of writing inks in Yemen, CmY 7 (Juillet 2018), pp. 160-180.
Recipe Details
Ingredients
red lead, scale insects, cochineal, Acid Red 18, Congo red
Preparation Steps
The oldest manuscript examined (Or. 2722, 1786 CE) used red lead (p. 163). In 20th-century samples, organic dyes were dominant. Natural sources included scale insects and a flavonoid-containing plant source. Synthetic options identified were cochineal red A and Congo red (p. 163).
Original Recipe Text
The oldest manuscript examined (Or. 2722, 1786 CE) used red lead (p. 163). In 20th-century samples, organic dyes were dominant. Natural sources included scale insects and a flavonoid-containing plant source. Synthetic options identified were cochineal red A and Congo red (p. 163).
Evidence
"For red ink made from natural sources, scale insects were found as a source, most likely cochineal... Two synthetic dyes were identified, cochineal red A (colour index name Acid Red 18) and Congo red."
Remarks
Red inks often provided little information via XRF due to their organic nature, requiring HPLC (p. 162). The analysis shows that both natural and synthetic dyes were available to Yemeni scribes in the early 20th century.
Scientific Analysis
Chemical CompositionPb3O4 (red lead)
Analytical Techniques
HPLC
XRF
Certainty Level
Confirmed
Instrumentally Verified
Verified
Metadata
Material Type
pigment
ColorRed
RegionYemen
Approx. Year1950
Source Information
AuthorA. Regourd & K. Scheper, Shifting sands of writing inks in Yemen, CmY 7
CollectionYemen
Language
N/A
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