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Pigments

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Encyclopedia of Geoarchaeology

Part of the book series: Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series ((EESS))

Synonyms

Earth pigments; Hematite; Iron oxides; Ochre; Paints

Definition

Pigments are typically insoluble colorants comprising inorganic compounds; they are distinguished from soluble dyes made from organic compounds. Earth pigments may be any soil, clay, rock, or mineral producing a colored powder with staining power. Informal criteria include the ease with which a material can be powdered, whether the powder is relatively free of gritty impurities, how well it adheres to or stains a surface, and the particular color.

Introduction

By far the most widely reported earth pigments, ethnographically, historically, and archaeologically, are materials enriched in iron oxides (sensu lato), providing colors ranging from pale yellow to dark red, extending to orange and brown (iron oxides providing a black streak, notably magnetite, rarely served as pigments). Yellower forms are commonly called “yellow ochre” (Greek ώχρα – “pale yellow”), while the redder forms are called “red ochre” or...

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    Ian Watts

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    Allan S. Gilbert

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Watts, I. (2017). Pigments. In: Gilbert, A.S. (eds) Encyclopedia of Geoarchaeology. Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-4409-0_37

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