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A Simple Method for Distinguishing between Organic and Inorganic Paints on Black-on-White Anasazi Pottery

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Abstract

It is often very difficult to distinguish organic paint from inorganic paint (iron oxides) on Black-on-white Anasazi pottery. However, the paints can be distinguished by testing for iron using potassium ferrocyanide in the presence of hydrochloric acid. If iron is present a dark blue precipitate forms immediately.

Type
Reports
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for American Archaeology 1975

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References

Forsyth, Donald 1972 A preliminary classification of Anasazi ceramics from Montezuma Canyon, San Juan County, southeastern Utah. Unpublished M.A. thesis. Brigham Young University.Google Scholar
Hogness, T. R., and Johnson, W. C. 1954 Qualitative analysis and chemical equilibrium, fourth edition. Holt, New York.Google Scholar
Shepard, A. O. 1971 Ceramics for the archaeologist. Carnegie Institution of Washington, Publication 609 (originally published 1956).Google Scholar