Rare 'Egyptian Blue' Pigment Unearthed at a Roman Palace, Was a Popular Wall Color Choice for Elite Residences

One of the most intriguing aspects of history is the art that comes with it. The paintings often reflect secrets that even buildings fail to express. Archaeologists have found several historical paintings, and experts have analyzed them to bits. Certain materials extracted from the paintings have also garnered a lot of attention from experts. These materials showcase many aspects, like how artisans garnered the colors they needed in yesteryears and the items that were popular at that time. Many of these materials have now vanished, and one of them was recently spotted in Rome, stated Archaeology Magazine.

The material in question is Egyptian blue, which was uncovered near some ancient workshops. These workshops were possibly involved in the construction of Emperor Nero’s Domus Aurea, or "Golden House." The imperial residence comprised more than 100 rooms and was built around 60 A.D. The whole structure was filled with exquisite marble statues and frescoes. Now, only the ruins of the lavish building are left because of the several attacks it has faced over the years, stated Artnet. Recent excavations have revealed baths, evidence of agricultural activities, and a columned portico. 

Archaeologists recently examined a space that was supposedly used to store the colorful materials applied to the artifacts found in the building. Researchers found items like yellow ochre and a red mineral called realgar in the room. The most noteworthy finding was, however, the five-pound chunk of Egyptian blue. 

Experts have traced the usage of Egyptian blue back to the third millennium B.C. in Egypt and Mesopotamia. It was a popular choice for artisans to use on walls of residences inhabited by elites. To make this material, artisans used to mix lime and silica with minerals that contained copper and sodium carbonate. Thereafter, the mixture was heated at very high temperatures. The process was described in detail by Roman architect Vitruvius in his first-century B.C. work De architecture. The discovery was valuable because the material is typically only found in powder form or as fragments. 

Along with walls, Egyptian blue was applied to several artifacts like mummy portraits, tombs, and statues. After the Egyptian civilization, the Romans also began using the material, as showcased by the color's presence in the baths of Titus as well as in Pompeii. Researchers claim that the fact that the artisans involved with Domus Aurea were working with such a huge chunk of Egyptian blue indicates their supreme expertise. This is because working with the chunk meant that the artisans were incorporating more refined materials. "The discovery of this ingot and other pigments confirms the skill and creativity of the craftsmen who worked on the palace’s decorations, using extremely costly materials and advanced techniques for their time," said the park’s director, Alfonsina Russo.

Researchers believe further study of Egyptian blue can shed light on the associations between the group of Roman painters who used it in the palace and those who again found it during the Renaissance. This is because the material's pigment has been observed in artworks like Giovanni Battista Benvenuto’s 1524 painting, St. Margaret and Raphael’s celebrated 1512 fresco, The Triumph of Galatea.