True and fake red layers on the objects from archaeological and historical context: microscopic observations

Colored layers on surfaces of objects associated with archaeological and historical context may be of various origins: natural or intentional and in numerous cases their exact identification is not obvious, especially for thousand-year-old objects. Yet, the diagnosing of their nature may constitute an important element for the interpretation of ancient cultures. Examples of red color layers of natural, intentional and unclear origin were chosen and observed to select criteria defining layers of uncertain parentage.