Ancient artefacts from Romeo and Juliet’s hometown turning blue
April 7th, 2011 - 6:25 pm ICT by ANIWashington, April 7 (ANI): Mysterious bright blue pigments found in artefacts from the hometown of Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet are disturbing experts on conservation of archaeological treasures around the world.
The three new-to-science pigments are the topic of an article on the solution of an archaeological ‘whodunit’.
Chemical and Engineering News editor Carmen Drahl said the mystery began last year when prehistoric flint tools began showing signs of contamination - a bright blue tinge.
The tainted relics came from a museum in Verona, Italy, the setting for Shakeaspeare’s great tragedy.
Archaeologists said they were puzzled, having never encountered such a color change before, especially one involving a hard stone like flint.
Scientists have identified the pigments responsible for the blue colour, and have named the pigments Romeo Blue, Juliet Blue and Flint Blue.
An ingredient in synthetic rubber mats that held the tools was suspected as the origin of the pigments.
Archaeologists said the incident has led to a new awareness among museum conservation experts about unexpected interactions occurring between ancient treasures and the environments in which they are stored.
The article appears in the current edition of Chemical and Engineering News. (ANI)
- Soon, cancer-preventing medicines based on natural substances - Jun 24, 2010
- Hoard of Roman coins discovered - Mar 23, 2012
- Did Libya witness biggest theft in archaeological history? - Oct 31, 2011
- Zeffirelli's 'Romeo and Juliet' to find resonance in 'Guzaarish' - Nov 16, 2010
- Apex court names panel to evaluate Kerala temple treasure - Jul 21, 2011
- Traces of ancient civilisation found in Chinese desert - Oct 18, 2011
- 25,000-year-old pendant found in Spain - Aug 11, 2011
- Jolie, Pitt buy $40 mn Italian villa - Jul 27, 2010
- Real-life 'Juliets' answering 'Romeos' letters get a reel makeover - May 11, 2010
- How a 3000-yr-old, 27,000-piece jigsaw puzzle was solved in 9yrs! - Feb 24, 2011
- Vikings considered Stone Age objects 'to have magical qualities' - Feb 03, 2011
- 6,000-year-old jade workshop found in China - Dec 27, 2010
- Egypt asks German museum for Nefertiti bust - Jan 25, 2011
- Dicaprio was Seyfried's favourite actor as a child - Feb 23, 2011
- Museum study, conservation - new-age career options - Sep 17, 2011
Tags: ancient artefacts, ancient treasures, archaeological treasures, archaeologists, blue colour, blue pigments, conservation experts, engineering news, flint tools, museum conservation, news editor, relics, romeo and juliet, rubber mats, shakeaspeare, star crossed lovers, synthetic rubber, unexpected interactions, verona italy, whodunit