A non-invasive multi-analytical approach combining optical microscopy (OM), micro-X-ray diffraction
(mXRD), in-situ X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), variable pressure scanning electron microscopy
coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (VP-SEM-EDS) and Raman micro-spectroscopy has
been employed for the first time to investigate the chemical composition of ceramic pigments in
Iberian Iron Age ceramics. The methodology was applied in the study of red, black and white pigments
on Iron Age decorated pottery from the archaeological site of Garvão (SW Portugal). The complementary
methodology adopted in this study minimized the damage to the ancient artefacts and turned out to be
essential in achieving a complete chemical and mineralogical characterization of pigment composition.
Results suggest that haematite (Fe2O3) and pyrolusite (MnO2) are the main mineral carriers of the Fe
and Mn chromophore ions, responsible respectively for the red and black colour. While illite (K(Al,Mg,
Fe)2(Si,Al)4O10(OH)2), a common clay mineral, is giving the white colour. It is the first time that the
use of illite as a pigment on decorations of ancient pottery has been reported in western societies.
The potters used local raw materials, compatible with the regional geological context and the archaeometric
study seems to demonstrate that the society that produced the painted ceramics had limited
access to long commercial routes.This work was financial supported by ‘‘Fundação para a Ciência
e Tecnologia” (FCT), FEDER and compete2020 through the project
PTDC/HIS-ARQ/108758/2008, the PhD grant SFRH/BD/67093/2009
and UID/Multi/04449/2013-POCI-01-0145-FEDER-00764