Colorful Art May Date Back to 4,000 Years to Ancient Egypt

Originally published August 12, 2009 | New Kerala

This article features more information regarding the discovery of earlier Egyptian techniques in extracting dye from plants.

Visit my blog post where you will find a link to the original story at MSNBC.

4,000-Year-Old Dye Found on Egyptian Artifact

Originally published August 10, 2009 | MSNBC and the Associated Press | by Randolph Schmid

The following is an article from MSNBC, which illuminates the advanced knowledge the Ancient Egyptians possessed in extracting pigments from plants to create colored dyes for leather, fabric, and other materials. Such fascinating findings help conservators in dating genuine artifacts and debunking fakes, among other things.

Another source reporting on the same story is Scientific American where you will find an article entitled Peering into Ancient Pigments, by Katherine Harmon.

How Chemistry Can Reveal the Secrets of Ancient Worlds

Originally published June 30, 2009 | Physorg

The day-to-day lives of prehistoric humans have been revealed following new research developed by chemists at the University of Bristol. The research, which combines archaeology with cutting-edge chemistry allowing scientists to reconstruct the past, will be presented at the Royal Society’s annual Summer Science Exhibition.

Scientists Take Another Look at Ancient Medicines

Originally published May 16, 2009| Richmond Times-Dispatch | by Tom Avril, Philadelphia Inquirer

Ancient Egypt was renowned for its prowess in the field of medicine, so much so that sick people went there from abroad in search of herbal remedies.

Archaeologists know that the herbs were administered in a potent blend with wine. But the identity of many of those medicinal additives is a mystery -- their names recorded in hieroglyphics that have resisted modern efforts at translation.