In order to identify the pigment composition and production process of Majiayao cultural painted pottery unearthed from Yangshan Cemetery (Banshan type) and Mapai Cemetery (Machang type) in Minhe County, Qinghai Province, we did a comprehensive analysis using polarized light microscopy (PLM), micro-Raman spectrometry, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM-EDS). The results show that 1) the black color of Majiayao culture pottery in Qinghai is magnetite and hausmannite; 2) the red color is hematite; 3) the white color is quartz; 4) the Fe/Mn ratio in the black color shows an upward trend from 0.31 in the Banshan period to about 2.45 in the Machang period. The application of pigments from iron ore in the Minhe area is another example following the discovery of the Naka site in Hualong County. This discovery provides important clues for the study of the use history of mineral pigments on painted pottery in the prehistoric periods of Gansu and Qinghai areas. In combination with geological literature, it is speculated that the mineral pigments used in Minhe area of Qinghai Province were taken from the nearest areas. The pottery petrography facies are mainly composed of quartz, feldspar, hornblende and calcium carbonate; it is characterized by strong iron staining. There are many pores, with most elongated and directionally distributed. The pottery was sintered at about 900 ℃. On this basis, a comparative study on the composition of lithofacies of prehistoric painted pottery in Gansu and Qinghai areas and in-depth analysis of painted pottery trade and pottery provenance information will be made, so as to provide a reference for the research and conservation of the pottery.