Micro-Raman Spectroscopy of Replicated Iron Ink

An analysis of the Raman spectra of replicated ink is carried out, simulating recipes common in the ancient Russian written culture and made using an “ink nest.” When preparing the ink, two main sources of tannin are used (gallnuts and alder bark), which were recorded in authentic recipe texts. Characteristic sets of bands are identified in the Raman spectra of inks made on the basis of tannins from different sources. This work studies the effect on the Raman spectra of increasing the iron content in the ink nest, adding cherry gum, changing the time of maturing the solution, and the influence of the substrate—paper and parchment. It is revealed that during the process of artificial moist–heat aging for three days, no significant changes in the vibrational bands occurred.