Enhancing Archaeological Insights: Role of Mössbauer Spectroscopy in Characterizing the Wall and Red Pigment of Tomb No. 63 of the Gaya Tumuli

Mössbauer spectroscopy reveals that hematite is the primary component of red pigments used in Tomb No. 63 of the Gaya Tumuli, while walls exhibit antiferromagnetic properties due to superparamagnetic goethite. This study distinguishes iron mineral phases in complex soil matrices, providing insights into past environmental conditions within the tomb. By combining chromaticity, X-ray diffraction, and magnetic property analyses, researchers confirmed the absence of ferrihydrite and characterized the weak ferromagnetic behavior of the pigment. These findings underscore Mössbauer spectroscopy's utility in archaeology for understanding red pigments and ancient soil environments.

Choi, H., Han, M.-S., Sun, G.-M., & Uhm, Y.-R. (2025). Enhancing Archaeological Insights: Role of Mössbauer Spectroscopy in Characterizing the Wall and Red Pigment of Tomb No. 63 of the Gaya Tumuli. Journal of Magnetics, 30(3), 257–265. https://doi.org/10.4283/jmag.2025.30.3.257