An Analytical Study of pre-Inca Pigments, Dyes, and Fibers

Abstract

The total analysis of 800-year-old Peruvian pigments with regard to the inorganic elements was carried out; some typical pigments, like mercury sulfide and iron oxide, are shown. Some characteristic pre-Inca (6–7 th century Tiahaunaco and 13–14 th century Chancay) dyes including cochineal, indigo, and probably logwood were identified from old fabrics by means of absorption spectroscopy and also chromatographic analysis. Two kinds of fiber constituting those fabrics were also investigated, and a few chemical analyses, including that of the amino-acid composition of protein fiber and that of the extent of the degradation of old cellulose fiber, were made.