X-ray microscopy reveals the outstanding craftsmanship of Siberian Iron Age textile dyers

Späth A, Meyer M, Huthwelker T, Borca CN, Meßlinger K, Bieber M, Barkova LL, Fink R (2021)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2021

Journal

Book Volume: 11

Article Number: 5141

Journal Issue: 1

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-84747-z

Abstract

The excellent craftsmanship of ancient Oriental and Central Asian textile dyers is already demonstrated in the remarkable brilliance and fastness of the colours of the so-called Pazyryk carpet, the by far oldest pile carpet found to date. This specimen resembles the advanced craftsmanship of Iron Age Central Asian textile production. We have employed synchrotron-based µ-XRF imaging to detect the distribution of metal organic pigments within individual fibres of the Pazyryk carpet (about 2500 years old) and compare the results to wool fibres, which we prepared according to traditional Anatolian dyeing recipes. We observe congruent pigment distribution within specimens from the Pazyryk carpet and natural wool fibres that we have fermented prior to dyeing. Therefore, we conclude that the superior fermentation technique has been utilized about 2000 years earlier than known so far.

Authors with CRIS profile

Involved external institutions

EXORIENTE Germany (DE) The State Hermitage Museum / Eremitage / Госуда́рственный Эрмита́ж Russian Federation (RU) Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) Switzerland (CH)

How to cite

APA:

Späth, A., Meyer, M., Huthwelker, T., Borca, C.N., Meßlinger, K., Bieber, M.,... Fink, R. (2021). X-ray microscopy reveals the outstanding craftsmanship of Siberian Iron Age textile dyers. Scientific Reports, 11(1). https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-84747-z

MLA:

Späth, Andreas, et al. "X-ray microscopy reveals the outstanding craftsmanship of Siberian Iron Age textile dyers." Scientific Reports 11.1 (2021).

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