A chemical analysis of ceramic fragments from 2nd millennium BCE Maitrayani Samhita ritual sites has revealed the earliest known use of specialized manganese-based pigments in South Asia. The study, published in Heritage Science, identifies that the red and black slips on these ceremonial vessels were engineered using a sophisticated blend of pyrolusite and high-iron clays to withstand the extreme temperatures of Vedic fire altars without losing their color.
Researchers discovered that the potters intentionally varied the oxidation state of the manganese to produce specific ritualistic shades, a process requiring precise control over kiln temperature and atmosphere. This mastery of chemical coloring agents demonstrates a high level of pre-industrial chemistry and materials science, where aesthetics were inextricably linked to the functional requirements of long-duration ritual performance.