Lead carbonate determination method can measure ancient cosmetics

Author: Lu also publish date: 2018-07-10

Now, scientists can know the skin "secrets" of ancient humans. A recent paper published in "Communication - Chemistry" provides a new method for directly measuring the age of cosmetics in ancient Greece and ancient Egypt. Archaeologists may also be able to measure the age of ancient art and cosmetics through this method.

White pigments used before the 19th century often contain lead carbonate, and such inorganic samples are difficult to measure directly, because carbon dating is mainly used to measure biological materials such as bone. Although lead carbonate contains radioactive carbon, it has not been possible to find a way to directly measure its age.

Now, the Lucile Beck team and collaborators at the University of Paris-Sacré, France, have given a method for determining the age of lead carbonate, which was used to determine the ancient Egyptian and ancient Greek tombs (1500 BC to 200 BC). The age of cosmetic samples. Since this method detects carbon in the air mixed therein when making lead carbonate, it is possible to distinguish between natural pigments and artificial samples.

The researchers point out that this provides a valuable method for archaeologists to determine the age of ancient matter. Since lead carbonate has historically been used as a white pigment, this method may also be used to determine the age of art and painting.

It is understood that the radiocarbon dating method uses the carbon atom ratio of the radioisotope carbon 14 in the material to determine the "age" of the sample. This method has long been used to reveal the age of organic materials ranging from ancient bones to wooden handicrafts.

Journal of Chinese Sciences (2018-07-10 2nd Edition International)

Source: Chinese Journal of Science

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