Red and Black Paints on Prehistoric Pottery of the Southern Russian Far East: An Archaeometric Study

This paper considers the results of an examination painted pottery from prehistoric sites Prmor’ye region (Southern Russian Far East) in northwestern part Sea Japan basin. Red-painted and black-painted ceramic wares occur here only remains Yankovskaya archaeological culture dated to 1st mil. BCE. Red painting appears as a colored surface coating, black is represented by very simple drawn patterns. Until recently decorations have not been intentionally studied. The objects our investigation are small series red-painted fragments originated sites. methods optical microscopy, SEM-EDS, Raman spectroscopy were applied study research materials. As result, data on characteristics texture composition red paints obtained. Both determined be pre-firing paints. paint clayish substance mixed with natural ochre pigment containing hematite coloring agent. Black carbon-based. carbon burnt bone recognized colorants. presented materials new evidence technologies Eurasia.