Wurtzite ZnS nanoparticles are synthesized by a low temperature chemical method using ethylene glycol. Photoluminescence studies reveal a new red emission along with strong UV and blue emission known to occur from nanocrystalline ZnS. An energy level diagram involving oxygen trap levels and interstitial sulphur ions is proposed to explain the origin of the observed emission peaks. Micro-Raman spectroscopic studies indicate that the optic modes get softened whereas the second order longitudinal acoustic (LA) phonon mode get hardened in the nanocrystals. The analysis is done by taking into account the effect of the small particle size of nanoparticles as well as the existence of defects resulting in strain in the lattice. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.