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The first known use of vermillion
J Martín-Gil1, F J Martín-Gil, G Delibes-de-Castro
1Department of Inorganic Chemistry, E.T.S.I.I., University of Valladolid, Spain.
Experientia
|August 16, 1995
Summary
Ancient Egyptians used vermillion (mercuric sulfide) to preserve human bones 5,000 years ago. This discovery reveals early advanced preservation techniques using mercury ore, predating previous findings by millennia.
Area of Science:
- Archaeological Science
- Materials Science
- Paleoproteomics
Background:
- The use of mercury compounds in ancient preservation practices is not well-documented.
- Understanding ancient preservation techniques provides insight into early human ingenuity and material science.
Observation:
- Remarkably preserved 5,000-year-old human bones were discovered at the 'La Velilla' dolmenic burial site in Spain.
- The bones were covered in a large quantity of pulverized cinnabar (vermillion), a red mercuric sulfide powder.
Findings:
- The cinnabar's purity and deliberate deposition suggest intentional use as a preservative, despite the absence of local mercury mines.
- Chemical and thermal analyses confirm the vermillion was pulverized and washed, not heated, yielding a distinct red-orange hue.
- This finding significantly pushes back the timeline for mercury ore use in preservation by at least one millennium in the Old World.
Implications:
- This discovery challenges existing timelines for the application of mercury-based preservation techniques.
- It highlights the sophisticated understanding of material properties for preservation purposes in ancient societies.
- The findings contribute to the broader study of ancient mortuary practices and resource management.