Imperial Purple Cloth Discovered in Roman Infant Burials in York

Imperial Purple Cloth Discovered in Roman Infant Burials in York

Archaeologists in York have uncovered evidence that two infants buried during the Roman period were wrapped in an exceptionally rare and costly purple cloth—material usually associated with emperors and the highest ranks of society. The find, made by researchers at the University of York, marks the first time traces of Tyrian purple dye have been identified on textile remains in the city. Across Britain, only a small number of such examples have…

Roman York infants buried in rare purple and gold cloth linked to elite families, study finds

Two infants buried nearly 1,700 years ago in Roman York were wrapped in one of the most expensive textiles in the Roman world, according to new research from the University of York. Scientists identified traces of Tyrian purple, a rare dye linked to emperors and wealthy elites, on fabrics preserved inside ancient gypsum burials. The […]