Multi-analytical investigation of red pigments recovered from human burials of Vale de Barrancas 1 hypogea

Lucija Soberl*, Merita Dreshaj, Mafalda Costa, Jose Mirao, Christina Barrocas-Dias, Tiago Nunes, Antonio Valera

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterAcademic

Abstract

Cultural and funerary uses of red pigments are frequently discovered in Neolithic and Chalcolithic contexts across the Iberian Peninsula. While ferric pigments (like ochre) usually indicate a locally-obtained raw material, the far less abundant cinnabar (mercury sulfide) can be used as a marker for long-distance exchange networks. Reported uses of cinnabar include metallurgy, medicine, preservative, body painting and ceramic decoration. In this study, a multi-analytical approach was taken to investigate red pigments discovered in funerary and ritual contexts from two Late Neolithic sites in the Alentejo region of Portugal - Vale de Barrancas hypogeum cemetery and the Perdigoes circular enclosure.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationVale de Barrancas 1
Subtitle of host publicationA necrópole de hipogeus do Neolítico
EditorsAntónio Carlos Valera, Tiago Nunes
Place of PublicationLisbon
PublisherERA Arqueologia S.A.
Chapter6
Pages91-102
Number of pages12
ISBN (Print)978-989-98082-7-0
Publication statusPublished - 2020
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameEra Monográfica
PublisherEra-Arqueologia S.A.
Number4

Keywords

  • PIGMENT ANALYSES
  • NEOLITHIC SITE
  • Portugal
  • Raman analysis
  • Spectroscopy
  • SEM-EDS
  • XRD
  • Burial
  • archaeology

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