Comprehensive analysis and study of the stratification phenomena of painted pottery unearthed from the Banpo site in China

Historical information is preserved in cultural artifacts, particularly pottery, and scientific techniques are crucial for uncovering their past. This study presents a multi-method interdisciplinary analysis of painted pottery from the Banpo site of the Yangshao culture. Element profiles and XPS analyses reveal that variations in trivalent iron content, responsible for different hues, are due to diverse firing atmospheres during the kiln’s stack firing rather than the use of a masking layer or different clay types. XRD analysis revealed that the ceramic body was primarily composed of quartz and feldspar. SEM-EDS indicates that black regions at the pottery’s base resulted from carbon penetration, likely due to its use as cooking utensils. Pigment analysis shows the red pigment is mainly ocher, the black pigment is a symbiotic combination of pyrolusite and magnetite, and the white pigment is calcite. Thermal expansion analysis confirms that the pottery was fired at around 1010 °C, with color differences attributed to the kiln atmosphere rather than firing temperature, supporting a single firing process. This research provides essential data for enhancing our understanding of Banpo painted pottery, offering valuable insights into its production and usage.