Preliminary study of the pigments on an acrobat figurine excavated from Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum
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(1. School of Humanities, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China;2. Key Scientific Research Base of Ancient Polychrome Pottery Conservation (Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum), State Administration for Cultural Heritage, Xi’an 710600, China)

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    Abstract:

    An acrobat figurine has been excavated from Pit K9901 of Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum. In our study, we analyzed the yellow, black and white pigments on it, using polarized light microscopy (PLM), scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM-EDS) and Raman spectrometry. The result indicates that they are all mineral pigments. The yellow pigment is from the mimetite group, the black pigment is copper oxide (CuO) with red ferric oxide (Fe2O3) particle inclusions, and the white pigment is hydroxyapatite [Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2]. There are not only differences but also connections between these pigments and those of the terra-cotta warriors. The study of these pigments provides us with important information in terms of exploring splendid archaeological culture of Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum.

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  • Online: July 16,2019
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