The preliminary analysis of the decorated bricks in the chamber of the Northern Wei Jing Ling site in Luoyang

Abstract

The Northern Wei dynasty is a significant period of multi-ethnic integration in Chinese history. Studies on the construction styles and materials of the Northern Wei dynasty tombs could be crucial to researching mausoleum system development in ancient China. Decorated bricks found in the Northern Wei Jing Ling site were analysed by multiple analysis methods. Petrographic analysis, SEM-EDS and XRD were used to investigate inorganic compounds and the mineral structure. The main chemical component of the brick is quartz. Meanwhile, the high carbon content indicates that the black pigment applied in the brick coating may be carbon black. Raman spectroscopy also confirmed the presence of carbon black. FTIR suggested the possible presence of organic binders, which were further identified by amino acid analysis. Egg was identified as the most likely binder in the black coating, while a slight amount of animal glue may also be an additive in the binder.