RECENTLY IDENTIFIED EGYPTIAN PIGMENTS

On several bowls from Nubia (1600 b.c. ) and on one canopic jar (New Kingdom) huntite, a calciummagnesium-carbonate CaCO₃. 3MgCO₃ was identified by means of X-ray diffraction and infra-red absorption techniques. Vases from the Amarna period (1370 b.c. ) are decorated with a blue paint, which proved to be cobalt-blue. Copper chloride atacamite was used on limestone reliefs from Thebes-West but the green frit chrysocolla occurs more frequently on Egyptian objects as is mentioned in literature.     

THERMOLUMINESCENCE AND GLAZE STUDIES OF A GROUP OF T'ANG DYNASTY CERAMICS

The application of the recently developed thermoluminescent method of pre-dose dating to thirty-seven glazed ceramics, purporting to have been manufactured during the T'ang Dynasty in China (a.d. 618–906), is reported. The modern origin of eight of these pieces is established. The remaining twenty-nine authentic pieces are discussed with respect to the accuracy of dating possible for such wares. The criterion for authenticity judgement commonly used for this material, that of glaze crackleur, is discussed critically and shown to be of only limited reliability.