Identification of the proto-inkstone by organic residue analysis: a case study from the Changle Cemetery in China

Ren, Mindong; Wang, Renfang; Yang, Yimin

doi:10.1186/s40494-018-0184-3

Cited by 16 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 15 publications

(20 reference statements)

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“…Raman spectra of two spots on the trigger metal surfaces appearing green in the multispectral image in Fig. 3, showing diagnostic bands for malachite quartz was also found in one of the two samples of pigment from a Han-period inkstone analysed recently [30].…”

Section: Figmentioning

confidence: 62%

“…However, the use of pine, wood-derived ink was much earlier in China from at least the Qin Dynasty (221-206 bc), while so far oil-derived, lampblack ink has only been shown to appear much later (the Southern and Northern Dynasty, ad 420-589 [26-30, 37, 38] and references therein). Moreover, it remains difficult to distinguish the two types of Chinese ink through Raman spectra, so further analyses by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) would be useful to resolve this question, as well as to verify if any possible organic binder was involved [30][31][32][33][34][35].…”

Section: Raman Spectroscopymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Ink marks, bronze crossbows and their implications for the Qin Terracotta Army

Bevan

Zhen

et al. 2018

Herit Sci

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At the heart of bureaucratic practice during Warring States and early Imperial China were regular, small acts of accountancy in which objects and people were marked so that their movements could be kept track of, their quality checked and their numbers marshalled. In the mausoleum complex of the Qin Shihuang (259-210 bc, the First Emperor of the Qin Dynasty), the longer texts and shorter inscribed marks found on the bronze weapons of the Terracotta Army are reasonably well known, and such information helps us to understand aspects of Qin craft organisation and logistics at this crucial period of Chinese state formation. This paper's modest starting point is a study of two further, less well-known ink inscriptions found on crossbow triggers from Terracotta Army Pit 1. Using multispectral photography, digital microscopy and Raman analysis, we uncover evidence of further marks on the same two triggers that suggest a similar pattern of 'matching' marks as suggested by the incised evidence. We also identify the black substance used to make the marks as a soot-based ink. Spatial analysis of both the inked and incised trigger marks then provides wider context for how such marking practices amongst Qin bronze-workers may have operated.

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Section: Figmentioning

confidence: 62%

Section: Raman Spectroscopymentioning

confidence: 99%

Ink marks, bronze crossbows and their implications for the Qin Terracotta Army

Bevan

Zhen

et al. 2018

Herit Sci

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“…During combustion, the fire temperature, tuyere and smoke collection time were strictly controlled to ensure soot blackness, fineness, and oil and ash contents [4]. First, the glue was enclosed by a gentle fire, pigment raw materials and raw materials were added, the mixture was fully stirred, and a pestle was used to pound the mixture evenly [5][6][7]. It was said that the mixture should be hammered repeatedly with "100,000 pestles" so that the smoke and binder reached a delicate and uniform degree and could be made into blanks [1].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reproducing ancient Chinese ink depending on gelatin/chitosan and modern experimental methodology

Liu

2022

Herit Sci

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Chinese ink has very special significance for presentation of artistic effects and preservation of works of art; however, wasted nonrenewable resources, potential toxicity, and complex and inefficient production technologies have limited the development of inks for traditional Chinese culture. Herein, environmentally friendly, practical and antibacterial Chinese ink was prepared by facile heating-stirring of gelatin and the natural polysaccharide chitosan. The internal composition, viscosity, morphology, particle size and antibacterial properties of the ink were characterized by Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and bacteriostatic zone tests. The results showed that commercial ink (CM) spread easily on Xuan paper and led to imperfect artwork, while the chitosan and gelatin ink (CG) showed good adhesion and stability on Xuan paper. Based on this study, we believe that the good performance of CG ink should be attributed to restrictions arising from its internal chitosan and gelatin network, which restrict diffusion. Finally, the author used CG ink to display traditional Chinese calligraphy and landscape painting and believes that it has significant application prospects and will be used in large-scale production.

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“…S1, a, in the additional supporting information). Such grinding implements, including a grinding plate and a grinding stone, were the common form of the proto‐inkstone (Ren et al, 2018). During the Eastern Han dynasty (25–220 ce ), the ink began to be manufactured in an ingot shape (Ye, 1965) and became increasingly prevalent until the Wei–Jin dynasties (220–420 ce ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation of the manufacture development of early Chinese ink in the Western Han dynasty

et al. 2022

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Chinese ink, generally produced in a stick form, was often like pellets before the Western Han dynasty (202 bce–8 ce) according to literary records and a few archaeological discoveries. However, their composition and manufacture have not been scientifically analysed to date. In this study, the ink pellets roughly dated to 2000 years ago from two royal tombs of the Han dynasty (the Nanyue King's tomb and the Marquis of Haihun's tomb) were analyzed by micro‐/non‐destructive methods, including synchrotron radiation‐based micro‐computed tomography (SR‐μCT), Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry (Py‐GC/MS). The results reveal that they were made from pine soot, and the production technology of the later Haihun ink was more complex than that of the earlier Nanyue King ink. The microstructure of the ink pellets indicated that some kind of glue should be used in the Haihun ink, which is the earliest case of glue addition. Moreover, plant extracts, including borneol and cedar oil, were detected in the Haihun ink, reflecting another aspect of progress in ink production history. These technical breakthroughs imply that the Western Han dynasty is a critical period for the development of traditional ink manufacture, and the shape transformation of Chinese ink is closely related to the evolution of ink production technology during this specific period.

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Identification of the proto-inkstone by organic residue analysis: a case study from the Changle Cemetery in China

Cited by 16 publications

References 15 publications

Ink marks, bronze crossbows and their implications for the Qin Terracotta Army

Ink marks, bronze crossbows and their implications for the Qin Terracotta Army

Reproducing ancient Chinese ink depending on gelatin/chitosan and modern experimental methodology

Investigation of the manufacture development of early Chinese ink in the Western Han dynasty

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