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Invited Presentation

ART

ART01: Student Research in Archaeological Chemistry

Characterizing Mulberry Pigment Composition at Madjedbebe Rock Shelter, Alligator Rivers Region, Australia

Wednesday, October 8, 2025
5:10 PM - 5:30 PM EDT
Location: Meeting Room #4&5

    Presenting Author(s)

  • MM

    Mallory Moats

    Student
    Archaeometry Laboratory, University of Missouri Research Reactor
    Rolla, Missouri, United States

    • Non-Presenting Author(s)

  • EE

    Erin East

    Temporary Lab Manager
    Archaeometry Laboratory, University of Missouri Research Reactor
    Columbia, Missouri, United States

  • MN

    May Nango

    Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation
    Jabiru, Northern Territory, Australia

  • DD

    Djaykuk Djandomerr

    Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation
    Jabiru, Northern Territory, Australia

  • LW

    Lynley Wallis

    Professor
    Griffith University
    Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

  • JH

    Jillian Huntley

    Senior Lecturer and DECRA Fellow
    Griffith University
    Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

    • Project Lead(s)

  • BM

    Brandi MacDonald

    Assistant Professor
    Archaeometry Laboratory, University of Missouri Research Reactor
    Columbia, Missouri, United States

In fifteen words or less, explain the significance of this contribution (Novel Aspect).: XRF and Raman spectrometry are successful in characterizing pigments present in rock art panels.

Abstract Text:

Madjedbebe rock shelter (MJB) in the Alligator Rivers Region (Western Arnhem Land), Australia is an archaeological site that preserves a record from some of the earliest occupants of Australia through its rock art panels and associated artifact assemblages. Our research has characterized the composition of mulberry-colored paints from multiple motifs at the site to assist in a larger project to understand the cultural traits and artistic preferences of the rock art painters at MJB. This was done in collaboration with Traditional Owners. In the field, we collected XRF and Raman spectroscopic measurements of five motifs that contained thick layers of mulberry pigment to obtain qualitative and semi-quantitative data on the elemental (relative concentrations) and molecular compositions (organic and inorganic components). Our results showed that two different types of mulberry pigments were used at this site with one likely using roasted ochres. We also field-collected raw materials that could be used to make paints from areas within the vicinity of the site. In the lab, these source samples were elementally characterized using neutron activation analysis (NAA). We then prepared a compendium of the ingredients used to produce the mulberry pigments and compared them to the pigments from MJB. The preliminary results have shown promise for identifying potential sources of pigmentaceous materials used to create some of the motifs at Madjedbebe.