Ochre decor and Cinnabar Residues in Neolithic Pottery from Vin\u{c}a, Serbia

TL;DR

This study analyzes Neolithic pottery from Vinča, Serbia, revealing ochre and cinnabar residues that suggest decorative and preparatory uses, with chemical identification confirming mineral compositions and sourcing.

Contribution

It provides detailed chemical analysis of residues on Vinča pottery, identifying ochre and cinnabar, and links cinnabar to non-decorative uses, offering new insights into Neolithic material practices.

Findings

Ochre on external surfaces is composed of hematite, quartz, and phyllosilicates.

Cinnabar residues on internal surfaces are linked to non-decorative applications.

Cinnabar likely sourced from nearby mercury ore deposits.

Abstract

The prehistoric site of Vin\u{c}a, on the right bank of the River Danube, the territory of the City of Belgrade, first excavated by Dr Miloje Vasi\'c; (1931-1934) provides Neolithic pottery dating back to 5200 - 4200 B.C. Shards excavated in 1998 (Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts) have a yellow coating on the external (convex) and red deposit on the internal (concave) side. Raman, IR and X-ray identification prove that yellow-to-red decor deposited on the external faces of pottery is made of ochre, a mixture of hematite, quartz and phyllosilicates. Red deposit, found on some internal surfaces of a pottery, consists of cinnabar (HgS) with some quartz and phyllosilicates. This indicates that cinnabar was not used for decor but for some other purposes, preparations made in ceramic utensils. A comparison is made with the mercury ore from a Suplja Stena mine located ~ 20 km from the Vin\u{c}a village.