Oldest evidence of the use of cinnabar red discovered in Italy

An Italian-Spanish research team has unearthed an important archaeological discovery that revolutionizes knowledge about the use of mineral pigments in Neolithic Europe. Scientists from the University of Pisa, CNR’s ICCOM in Pisa and the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) in Barcelona have in fact identified traces of cinnabar, dated to the beginning of the sixth millennium B.C., at the archaeological site of La Marmotta, located on the shores of Lake Bracciano in Lazio.

The La Marmotta site is known for the extraordinary preservation of organic materials and artifacts that offer a unique window into the daily life of Neolithic peoples. Using advanced chemical and mineralogical analysis techniques, researchers have identified the presence of cinnabar in various artifacts, suggesting its use as a pigment.

This discovery indicates that Neolithic populations in Italy had developed advanced techniques for the extraction and use of cinnabar, much earlier than previously thought. Cinnabar, known for its bright red color, was probably extracted from deposits located considerable distances from La Marmotta, highlighting the existence of a well-developed network of trade and commerce. Raw materials, ideas and traditions were shared among different areas of the peninsula, underscoring the complexity of Neolithic societies.

The finding compels a revision of current knowledge regarding the dissemination and use of mineral pigments in Neolithic Europe.This finding not only enriches our understanding of the technologies and artistic practices of ancient communities, but also offers new perspectives on cultural development and interactions between different populations of the time. Details of the discovery were discussed in the article New evidence reveals the earliest use of cinnabar in the western Mediterranean: The Neolithic settlement of La Marmotta (Lazio, Italy) published in the journal Quaternary Science Reviews.

“The discovery of cinnabar use in this context is particularly significant because cinnabar is a toxic mineral that requires special handling and treatment,” explains Dr. Cristiana Petrinelli Pannocchia of the Department of Civilizations and Forms of Knowledge at the University of Pisa. “This implies, in fact, a certain degree of knowledge and technical expertise on the part of the people who used it. In addition to this, the use of cinnabar at La Marmotta reflects a significant cultural and symbolic aspect of Neolithic societies. Indeed, the red pigment, obtained from cinnabar, is often associated with ritual and ceremonial practices, including funerary rites and body decorations. This symbolic use of cinnabar could indicate a complex social and spiritual structure among Neolithic peoples in the region. The dating we were able to establish through the finds from the La Marmotta site allows us to set back the use of cinnabar in Italy to the beginning of the sixth millennium BCE, thus redefining the chronology of the use of this pigment in the Western Mediterranean. As well as offering us important insights into the complexity of prehistoric societies in terms of technology, trade and culture.”

Oldest evidence of the use of cinnabar red discovered in Italy

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