Egyptian blue in Iron Age Iran points to ancient connections
Egyptian blue, considered the world's earliest synthetic pigment, was prized for its stable blue hues and served as a common blue paint in Egypt as early as 5,000 years ago, as well as the base material for small items such as beads and vessels in later periods.
Scientists have uncovered nearly 500 artifacts made from Egyptian blue, an ancient synthetic pigment, at Iron Age II sites in northwestern Iran. Egyptian blue, considered the world's earliest synthetic pigment, was primarily used as a pigment in ancient Egyptian art and was also molded into small objects such as beads and amulets.
Its distinctive luminescent properties make it easily detectable using infrared photography, aiding its identification in archaeological finds. The pigment is produced through a complex pyrotechnological process involving the mixing of copper-containing materials, silica, an alkali, and calcium carbonate, which is then ground into a fine powder and fired in a closed container to achieve the desired color.
The discovery of these artifacts suggests that Egyptian blue was used on a larger scale than previously thought, with objects such as furniture legs, vessels, decorative wall tiles, bracelets, and anklets found at the sites. Further analysis of the pigment's chemical and isotopic signatures aims to determine its production methods, raw-material sources, and the historical connections between different cultures.
The findings provide valuable insights into the movement and interactions of ancient civilizations, highlighting the significance of cultural exchange and technological advancements in the ancient world.
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