Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 19, 2026

Exfoliation of Egyptian Blue and Han Blue, Two Alkali Earth Copper Silicate-based Pigments
Published on: April 24, 2014
The nature of ancient Egyptian copper-containing carbon inks is revealed by synchrotron radiation based X-ray
Thomas Christiansen1,2, Marine Cotte3,4, René Loredo-Portales5
1Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies (ToRS), Section of Egyptology, University of Copenhagen, Karen Blixens Plads 8, 2300, Copenhagen S, Denmark. thomas.christiansen@museoegizio.it.
Abstract:
For the first time it is shown that carbon black inks on ancient Egyptian papyri from different time periods and geographical regions contain copper. The inks have been investigated using synchrotron-based micro X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and micro X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy (XANES) at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF). The composition of the copper-containing carbon inks showed no significant differences that could be related to time periods or the geographical locations. This renders it probable that the same technology for ink production was used throughout Egypt for a period spanning at least 300 years. It is argued that the black pigment material (soot) for these inks was obtained as by-products of technical metallurgy. The copper (Cu) can be correlated with the following three main components: cuprite (Cu2O), azurite (Cu3[CO3]2[OH]2) and malachite (Cu2CO3[OH]2).
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Studying the Cytoskeleton
Scanning Electron Microscopy
Fundamental Principles
Accelerated...
X-ray Diffraction of Biological Samples
According to Bragg's law, when X-rays strike the sample positioned on a stage, the rays are scattered by the electron clouds around the sample atoms. The X-ray diffraction or scattering is caused by constructive interference of the X-ray waves that reflect off the internal...
Preparation of Samples for Electron Microscopy

