US Edition5,000-Year-Old Egyptian Blue Pigment Recreated Using Ancient Methods
- Researchers from Washington State University, collaborating with other institutions, successfully reproduced Egyptian blue—the oldest known synthetic pigment—using traditional techniques as of 2025.
- This work responds to the historical loss of Egyptian blue’s exact production process, which was widely used in antiquity but forgotten by the Renaissance.
- The team created and experimented with a dozen pigment formulations composed of mixtures containing silicon, copper, calcium, and sodium compounds, which they subjected to temperatures near 1000°C for durations lasting up to 11 hours, mirroring ancient artisanal processes.
- The pigment emits near-infrared light that is not visible to the human eye, and John McCloy expressed optimism that this research will demonstrate how scientific methods can enhance our understanding of human history.
- Their findings may aid conservation efforts, restore historic relics accurately, and enable modern applications like fingerprinting and anticounterfeiting inks based on Egyptian blue’s unique properties.
18 Articles
18 Articles
This colorful mystery of Ancient Egypt was just solved in Washington state
Scientists at Washington State University not only discovered how to recreate the color known as "Egyptian Blue," they also found this ancient pigment has potential modern uses that its inventors may not have realized.
The Egyptians were able to preserve their hieroglyphics for more than 5,000 years, Cerabyte intends to emulate it with a new hard glass disk that promises to last as long as possible.
5,000-Year-Old Missing Formula for 'Egyptian Blue' Reveals Unusual Optical, Magnetic, and Biological Properties
A team of Washington State University (WSU) mechanical and materials engineers successfully recreated the missing base formula for the world’s oldest synthetic pigment, Egyptian Blue. Egyptian Blue was valued in ancient times for its resemblance to expensive turquoise and lapis lazuli. However, the research team notes that the exact method of preparing the coveted dye “was largely forgotten” by the Renaissance period. The WSU team’s discovery re…
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