Microstructure of black pigment painted on the takamatsuzuka tumulas wall

Abstract

The mural of the Takamatsuzuka tumulus in Asuka, Nara prefecture, was painted in the 7-8th centuries. Red, green, blue, yellow, and black pigments are used in the mural. The microstructure of one of them, the red pigment, was described in the previous paper. In this study, the black pigment observed within the red pigment area has been investigated. An optical microscope, a scanning electron microscope, and a transmission electron microscope are utilized to examine the microstructure. Among the black particles, two different Fe compounds are observed. One is magnetite (Fe3O4) comprising small amounts of Ti, Al, and Mg, and the other is ilmenite (FeTiO3) containing a small amount of Mg. In addition to the above compounds, an oxide particle containing Zr is also observed.