A multianalytical approach for identifying a manganese source for the black pigment of the Chinchorro mortuary palette

Researchers have identified the likely source of manganese-based black pigment used by the Chinchorro culture for their distinctive mortuary art. Analyzing samples from mummies and manganese-bearing rocks in northern Chile's Altiplano, they found that the Lauca and Huaylas Formations match the isotopic and mineralogical characteristics of the pigment. This suggests the Chinchorro obtained raw materials either through direct travel to the Altiplano or via river transport during seasonal floods. The study employed advanced techniques like scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to trace the pigment's origin, offering new insights into the culture's resource procurement strategies.

Van Hoesen, J., Arriaza, B., Ryan, P., & Grady, C. (2018). A multianalytical approach for identifying a manganese source for the black pigment of the Chinchorro mortuary palette. Geoarchaeology, 34(3), 322–335. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/gea.21713