Geochemical Investigations to Identify the Origin of Roman Colour Pigments in Noricum

The topic of the project is to investigate whether ancient colour pigments are able to show evidence of different forms of exchange and socio-economic transformation. Can the scientifically analysed, archaeologically and historically contextualised information about origin of raw materials and processes of production of ancient colour pigments provide indications about preferred trade relations, technology and organisation of production as well as knowledge transfer and cultural exchange? To this end, the origin of the raw materials as well as the quality of ancient pigments (here in particular cinnabar-vermilion and Egyptian blue pigments) will be analysed in a multi-disciplinary approach. The trace elements and isotopic composition of the pigments will allow conclusions to be drawn concerning the raw materials employed, and their origin.

Noricum, a region that underwent large-scale transformations after becoming a Roman province, was an area with rich resources of raw materials and, therefore, the possibility to produce pigments locally. The material analysis of the cinnabar and Egyptian blue pigments from the Roman imperial period and Late Antiquity will be considered in this context of cultural, political and economic transformation in Noricum.