Brown Earth from Otranto

Brown earth with lime deposits sometimes produces small, round nuggets of iron oxide sediments, also known as pea ore. In medieval times this pea ore was used to smelt iron. It can be found in practically all areas in which limestone occurs, especially after rain in autumn on freshly tilled soil. The brownish red color is reminiscent of coagulated blood, and the pigment obtained from it can be used in all painting techniques.