Tracing the complex history of cobalt use in ancient glass and glazes
In short: Researchers reviewing the history of cobalt-based pigments found that identifying the geological origins of blue and green glass, glazes, and enamates requires looking beyond cobalt itself. By examining associated elements like arsenic, bismuth, and silver, the study connects raw material extraction and processing techniques to the production of famous historical ceramics from the Islamic, Mediterranean, and Asian worlds.
The review synthesizes ancient reports and modern analytical data, such as Raman spectroscopy and pXRF, to link mineral compositions to historical trade. However, the authors note that identifying cobalt origins is complicated by how much processing, such as purification and formulation, alters the original chemical signatures.
The study also highlights the need for deeper knowledge of ancient ore deposits and how processing evolved over time.
Why it matters: Understanding the chemical fingerprints of ancient pigments requires looking at both the impurities and the history of how they were refined.
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