Pigments from the occupation layer at Khotylevo-2: preliminary results of the sample composition analysis

The paper contains preliminary results of the analysis performed to identify the composition of the pigments coming from the occupation layer at the Khotylevo-2 settlement obtained during the 2018-2020 excavations. The studies were performed with a view of comparative analysis of the composition of the pigment samples selected from diverse archaeological contexts and identification of their processing methods. The total number of the samples examined by X-ray and molecular spectroscopy methods is 18, including 17 red samples and 1 white sample. The samples are powders or small concretions of red color. The red color in the samples is due to the presence of hematite. The microscopic examination of the samples enabled the scholars to detect traces of goethite on the surface of some samples as well as spots of reddish-brown color containing maghemite. These analyses suggest that not less than three types of pigment sources were used such as natural ochres, natural hematite and transformation of maghemite to hematite by annealing. For the most part, local heterogeneity of the composition in the selection localities was noted; however, a number of samples have a mixture of various types of pigments. Mixing occurred during formation of the occupation layer and, apparently, as a result of post-depositional processes.