Archaeologists Uncover Unusually Large Chunk of Rare ‘Egyptian Blue’ in Nero’s Palace

Archaeologists in Rome have discovered beautiful , ancient blusher — but not justanypaint . know as “ Egyptian Blue , ” it ’s among the sure-enough man-made pigments in the earth , with the newly see metal bar weighing more than five pounds .

Archaeologists turn up the Domus Aurea , Emperor Nero ’s huge imperial abode in ancient Rome , have discovered container still take the splendid pigment artisans used to decorate the palace complex almost 2,000 years ago . Among the brilliant color , investigator were most excited to find a rare chunk of Egyptian low-spirited pigment . The Colosseum Archaeological Park announced the discovery in a January 20Facebook post .

“ The enchantment convey by the deepness of blueing of this pigment is incredible , ” Alfonsina Russo , Director of the Colosseum Archaeological Park , say in the Facebook post . “ The Domus Aurea once again moves [ us ] and restores the splendor of the colors used by the painters who skilfully ornament the room of this precious and processed imperial palace . ”

The ingot of Egyptian blue pigment discovered at La Domus Aurea.

The ingot of Egyptian blue pigment discovered at La Domus Aurea.© Parco archeologico del Colosseo, photograph by Simona Murrone

The archaeologists unearthed two bathtub that , among other things , were used to process the colorful pigment while the palace was under building . presumptively from within the tub , they find an amphora containing yellow ocher , bantam jars with red pigments such as realgar and red ochre , and an ingot of Egyptian blue .

Unlike yellow and red ocher , Egyptian blue is a semisynthetic color achieved by wake a mix of limestone , chemical substance compounds , and cop - containing mineral . Its earliest production and apply date back over 5,000 years ago to ancient Egypt ; in Roman time , the pigment was produced in southerly Italy . In fact , it ’s theoldest synthetically - made colorknown to scientist . Archaeologists typically discover the ancient remnant of Egyptian blue pigment in the form of pulverisation or tiny arena , but the rarity of the recent specimen lies in its size : a whopping 5.29 pounds ( 2.4 kilograms ) .

end of Egyptian blue air previously expose in Pompeii suggest that the pigment was used in spaces of luxury and wealthiness , according to the Colosseum Archaeological Park . The context of the late discovery within Nero ’s regal residence further affirms this suggestion , and provides insight into the refinement and specialization of the artisans who were employed to decorate it .

Amphora With Yellow Ocher

The amphora containing yellow ocher. © Parco archeologico del Colosseo

Scientists previously thought that therecipe for Egyptian blue was lostafter the autumn of the Roman Empire and only truly rediscovered in the former 1800s by the British pill roller Humphry Davy . A2020 study , however , break that Italian Renaissance painter Raphael used the pigment in his 1512 fresco , Triumph of Galatea . Perhaps the recipe had n’t been lost after all .

Either way , the brilliant color get in touch artists and artisans across the vast annals of human history . Even some modern shades of blue used by artists today are called Egyptian blue sky in court to the ancient paint .

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Egyptian Blue