Source: TimesofIndia.com
Feb 24, 2024
3600-year-old world’s oldest lipstick discovered in Iran!
While the exact origin of the lipstick remains unknown due to looting, researchers are confident that it hails from a local Bronze Age civilization, possibly the ancient Marḫaši. However, questions about the identity of the lipstick's owner and whether it implies the invention of lipstick in ancient Iran remain elusive.
Archaeologists in the Jiroft region of Kerman province in southeastern Iran have made a remarkable discovery – a 3,600-year-old red lipstick, believed to be the oldest ever found. Unearthed from a looted gravesite, this Bronze-Age cosmetic artefact provides a captivating glimpse into the beauty practices of a bygone era, shedding light on the sophistication of ancient cultures.
The lipstick, showcased in a vial reminiscent of modern lipstick tubes, was found alongside other artefacts in 2001 when the Halil river flooded several graveyards from the 3rd millennium BCE. Despite looting by locals, this ancient makeup made its way to a local museum. Comprising a reddish substance made of minerals, such as hematite, darkened by manganite and braunite, with small amounts of galena and anglesite, the colour and waxy texture of the 3,600-year-old lipstick closely resemble contemporary lipstick recipes.
The study, published in Scientific Reports, suggests that the lipstick's owner likely used it in a manner similar to how people use lipstick today. The vial's slender shape and limited thickness indicate that it could have been conveniently held with a copper/bronze mirror, leaving the other hand free for applying the lipstick with a brush or another applicator.
While the exact origin of the lipstick remains unknown due to looting, researchers are confident that it hails from a local Bronze Age civilization, possibly the ancient Marḫaši. However, questions about the identity of the lipstick's owner and whether it implies the invention of lipstick in ancient Iran remain elusive.
Nevertheless, the discovery provides valuable insights into the Bronze Age people of ancient Iran, offering a glimpse into their societal roles and the use of makeup. Although the earliest evidence of women using lip colour dates back to the 12th-century BCE. Turin Papyrus found in Egypt, the Iranian lipstick acts as a chronological threshold, indicating that in the early Bronze Age, people wore makeup to assume new official roles in local hierarchies.
Massimo Vidale, one of the study authors, emphasised that the lipstick discovery challenges traditional perceptions about the history of technology. He pointed out that cosmetics and body paints, often associated with women, have been integral to metallurgical knowledge for thousands of years. Vidale encourages a shift in perception, recognizing the historical importance of the cosmetic industry and its role in shaping cultural practices related to power, beauty, and authority.
The 3,600-year-old lipstick from Iran not only represents a fascinating archaeological find but also serves as a portal into the cosmetic practices of ancient societies, challenging preconceived notions and highlighting the significance of makeup in the history of technology and cultural expression.