iron gall

Ingredients

vitriol (FeSO4), tannic acid (from gall nuts), Arabic gum, water

Preparation Steps

Original Recipe Text

The iron gall ink is described as consisting of vitriol (FeSO4), tannic acid derived from gall nuts, Arabic gum, and water (p. 4, Section 3.1). In the specific analysis of Manuscript 1, trace amounts of Cu were detected, which the authors suggest could be attributed to the ink being stored in copper pots (p. 4).

Evidence

"the black ink pigment in the three manuscripts is iron gall (Fe2SO4 plus gallottanic acid)."

Remarks

The black ink used in the study across all three fragments was identified as iron gall. In Manuscript 1, analysis showed main components of iron and calcium, with the calcium likely originating from the paper substrate (p. 2-3). The presence of trace elements like Zn, Pb, and Cu in the black ink of Manuscript 2 was also noted (p. 6, Section 3.2).