DIFFERENT ELEMENT RATIOS OF RED COSMETICS EXCAVATED FROM ANCIENT BURIALS OF JAPAN

Marker elements of red cosmetics, collected from ancient burials of Ma tsuyama, Tokushima and Nara Japan, were determined by emission spectro metry (ICP/AES). The mass ratios of Hg, Fe, Cu, and Zn were different between samples. Element levels were compared with reference to relati ve amounts of sulfur. Of the possible contaminants from the bone and s and of burials, the relative amounts of Hg and Fe to S were most commo nly available to evaluate the difference between the cosmetics. The co smetics were divided into four groups; type I (high Hg with less Fe), type II (both moderate Hg and Fe), type III (moderate Hg with high Fe) and type IV (less Hg with high Fe). The main constituents of cosmetic s are mercury sulfide (cinnabar) or ferric oxide mixed with trace meta ls. Zinc contents differ between the Fe and Hg amounts for the three a reas. Cosmetic compositions varied with each burial site, suggesting t hat they were derived from different mines of ancient Japan. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.