Thousands of years ago, the Egyptians created the world’s oldest known synthetic pigment: Egyptian blue. Despite its name, the mysterious material’s true color ranged from blue to green. Archaeologists have spotted it on ancient coffins, sculptures, murals and ceramics.
The oldest known sample of Egyptian blue decorates a small alabaster bowl dating to 3250 B.C.E. The pigment was later used by the Romans, who conquered ancient Egypt in the first century B.C.E., and then by Renaissance artists.
The color eventually faded into obscurity. But now, scientists have finally figured out how to bring it back to life.