Posted on 02/17/2024 9:06:36 PM PST by Red Badger
Archaeologists have discovered a small chlorite vial containing a deep red cosmetic preparation believed to be an ancient type of lipstick in the Jiroft region of southeastern Iran.
This relic, published in the journal Scientific Reports on February 1st, is the oldest known red lipstick from the Bronze Age (between 2000 and 1600 B.C.).
The carved tube came from an ancient graveyard that reemerged in 2001 after the nearby river flooded. According to the study, people plundered the cemetery and sold whatever they could find. Several of the artifacts were eventually found and given back to a nearby museum by officials.
The vial’s slender shape, reminiscent of contemporary lipstick tubes, suggests it was designed to be held in one hand along with a copper or bronze mirror, as depicted in an ancient Egyptian drawing.
The findings, published in the journal Scientific Reports, show that the reddish substance’s mineral components include hematite, which has been darkened by manganite and braunite, as well as traces of galena and anglesite. These were combined with vegetal waxes and other organic ingredients, closely resembling the recipes for modern lipsticks. This composition bears a striking resemblance to modern lipstick recipes, indicating the sophistication of ancient Iranian makeup techniques.
The discovery, dated to the early 2nd millennium BCE, provides valuable insight into the ancient civilization of Marḫaši, mentioned in coeval cuneiform texts of Mesopotamia.
The Jiroft civilization, believed to be the ancient polity of Marḫaši, flourished in a valley rich with diverse lithic resources, providing favorable conditions for the development of advanced cosmetics.
Carved chlorite-schist vials found in the Jiroft region. Photo: IRNA “So far, for the world of 5000-4000 years ago, we knew about makeup recipes, eyeliners, and eye shadows but not about lip paints.” Professor Massimo Vidale, one of the authors of the study and a professor of archaeology at the University of Padua in Italy, told Bored Panda in an email.
This discovery is consistent with the well-documented tradition of cosmetology in ancient Iran, which included using light-colored compounds for foundation or eyeshadow and black kohl for eyeliners. The sophistication of these makeup techniques suggests a complex society with clear social hierarchies and aesthetic standards.
The discovery of deep red lip pigments adds a new dimension to our understanding of ancient cosmetics, as previous archaeological evidence primarily focused on white or light-colored compounds.
Dr. Nasir Eskandari, a professor at the University of Tehran and one of the archaeologists who contributed to the discovery, stated to IRNA that the study aimed to uncover the pioneering role of ancient Iranians in chemical science.
He said that the discovered substance shows that the first inventors of lipstick may have been Iranians.
The finding raises the possibility that Iran is where lipstick originated, even though there are no historical documents or images from the Jiroft region.
However, Professor Vidale cautioned against definitive claims of “earliest evidence,” acknowledging the perpetual possibility of discoveries reshaping our understanding of ancient cultures.
Cover Photos from M. Vidale and F. Zorzi via Eskandari, De Carlo, Zorzi, Dall’Acqua, Furlan, Artioli and Vidale (2024)
doi:10.1038/s41598-024-52490-w
Taylor Swift Ancestor Ping!..................
The mohamheads will be looking for someone to behead over this.
Yep! 👍
They always do.
ping (please ignore gratuitous taylor swift reference lol)
Why should this surprise anyone?
Prostitution is the world’s oldest profession. Prostitutes used lipstick to let johns know they were hookers.
Or is the color red supposed to be the surprise?
I immediately thought of Rod Stewart "Stay with me". ;^)
So Muslims actually put red lipstick on a donkeys azz?
Yeah, but it was found in the goat pen...
That red she wears in nothing but symbolism.
😜👍......................
Fell out of her purse when she was at the Prom...................
and yet, those pigs are so hideous they gave up and required them all to wear hoods
Since natural ingredients were all the women had to make cosmetics out of at that time, you might want to look at the predominance of deep red/red in the minerals, clay, etc those cosmetics were made of. Just like the stuff they ground up to make eyeshadow was predominantly green or blue, and eyeliner ingredients-kohl/charcoal were black.
Since we know that human females of all social groups have been adorning themselves with colored paint/makeup, jewelry, etc from well into pre-history, it makes a lot more sense to look at the source of the cosmetics than to “tar” the wearer of red lip color as a prostitute-plenty of women today like red lipstick who are not hookers-mostly brunettes, because it looks good with their dark hair. As a redhead, I do not wear red lipstick, and neither do any blondes I know-but entertainers of all shades wear it on stage, because it can be seen even by the audience in the cheap seats, just like bright blue eyeshadow and glitter-infused body paint, etc...
Red being a preferred color for hookers was certainly written about-but it was a lot later than 3600 years, as was their wearing of red dresses, putting up red lights, etc. Based on what you are saying, have all men who have tattoos always been bad boys or cruel and ruthless warriors in the human family? I do have a lot of friends and neighbors who are veterans who have tats-they are not outlaw bikers or serial killers, either. I think your assumption is a bit too broad...
I guess I made a too broad assumption about the broads who wore red lipstick millennia ago. Too bad I based in on my reading on ancient history. And most modern women today who wear red lipstick today are little more than whores, but then it may just bee that so many women today are nothing but whores.
You weren’t part of society millennia ago-I’m sorry that you feel that way about women-I take it you have had one or more very bad experiences in relationships-that is unfortunate, but it has happened to a lot of guys. There is no reason to call us whores, based on your limited experiences, interpretations of ancient history, lipstick, and hearsay, etc. I suppose I could say most men are puta machos, since I’ve met a some who were/are-but that would be untrue and unfair-I do not think it is appropriate or sensible to be a hater of the opposite sex-it can lead to a dark place. You are entitled to your opinion, or course...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
