Scientific and technological analysis and research on the ink stick unearthed from the tomb of Fanxiaochong of the Northern Song Dynasty in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province

This study is based on the ink stick unearthed from the tombs of the Northern Song Dynasty (960 CE-1127 CE) in Xi 'an, Shaanxi Province, during which the development of ancient Chinese ink making technology reached its peak. The sample was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), energy dispersive analysis (EDS) and microscopic laser Raman spectroscopy (Raman). The sample was identified as pine-soot ink, and animal glue was added in the production process. In addition, lime (CaCO3) for shade drying, lithargite (PbO) for insecticidal effect and jarosite (KFe33+(OH)6(SO4)2), the oxidation product of pyrite (FeS), which is similar to gold in appearance but lower in cost, were also detected in ash and ink stick, fully revealing the production process of pine-soot ink in Song Dynasty.