misy (an iron-copper ore)
Syria
1th Century
Source: Martelli, M. (2021). ‘Alchemical’ Inks in the Syriac Tradition. In: L. Raggetti (Ed.), Traces of Ink. Brill.
Recipe Details
Ingredients
gallnuts, water, misy (iron-copper ore)
Preparation Steps
The procedure involves pounding gallnuts and pouring water over them. The resulting liquid is used to write on paper. After the writing has dried (becoming invisible), a liquid made of misy (an iron-copper ore) is used to moisten the paper, reacting with the gallnut tannins to reveal the black letters (p. 90).
Original Recipe Text
The procedure involves pounding gallnuts and pouring water over them. The resulting liquid is used to write on paper. After the writing has dried (becoming invisible), a liquid made of misy (an iron-copper ore) is used to moisten the paper, reacting with the gallnut tannins to reveal the black letters (p. 90).
Evidence
"Take gallnuts used for inks (= Gr. κηκίδιον) and pound them well; pour water over it, write on paper with this liquid (= Gr. ζωμός, lit. ‘sauce, wash’) and let it get dry; take a liquid of misy (an iron-copper ore), moisten the paper with it, and read."
Remarks
This recipe is attributed to Democritus and describes an early form of 'invisible' or sympathetic ink that relies on the formation of iron gallate complex when the iron source (misy) meets the gallnut extract (p. 90).
Scientific Analysis
Analytical Techniques
Philological analysis
Certainty Level
Probable
Instrumentally Verified
Not Verified
Metadata
Material Type
ink
Binderwater
Paper Typepaper (ܟܪܛܝܣܐ)
ColorBlack
RegionSyria
Approx. Year50
Source Information
AuthorMartelli, M.
CollectionMS Mm. 6.29 (fol. 98r16–19)
Language
N/A
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