Characterization of iron oxides-based red pigments in the ancient Gaya region, South Korea

The characteristics of red pigments of the Gaya cultural circles, the ancient federation kingdom in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula, have been investigated using multiple analyses (SEM–EDS, XRD, Raman and Mössbauer spectroscopy). In results, reddish ochre- and pure hematite-based pigments were distinguished. In addition, as the redness of the pigment increased, the proportion of well crystalline and magnetically ordered α-Fe 2 O 3 phase also increased, whereas the amorphous and superparamagnetic Fe 2 O 3 phase were decreased. These results indicate that the ancient Gaya people produced various red pigments according to their use by thermal treatment of reddish ochre and high-purity iron compounds.