Rome, Egyptian blue ingot discovered at Domus Aurea: extremely rare find

In Rome , the Domus Aurea never ceases to amaze, yielding a new discovery that sheds light on the artistic workers of Nero’s time. During recent archaeological investigations conducted in the monumental imperial residence, scholars identified two tanks that, at the time of the construction site, were used to extinguish lime and to store or process pigments intended for decorating frescoes.

Prominent among the materials found are yellow ochre pigments, contained in an amphora, and other shades of red such as realgar and red earth, kept in jars. But the real star of the discovery is an extraordinarily large ingot of Egyptian blue, 15 centimeters high and weighing 2.4 kilograms. A very rare find: generally, this precious pigment is found in powder form or in small spheres, as attested especially in the Pompeii discoveries.

Egyptian blue, considered one of the oldest and most precious pigments of the ancient world, does not exist in nature but is produced artificially. Its preparation, described by Vitruvius in De Architectura (VII, 11), requires a mixture of silica, limestone rocks, copper-containing minerals and sodium carbonate, fired at high temperatures. Known since the 3rd millennium B.C. in Egypt and Mesopotamia, this pigment quickly spread to the ancient Mediterranean, becoming a distinctive element in fine decorations.

In the Roman world, Egyptian blue was used to achieve sophisticated color effects. It was used on its own or mixed with other pigments to enrich pictorial details, such as chiaroscuro in the drapery of robes, the luster of eyes, or the rendering of cooler tones in complexions. It was a symbol of luxury and high technical expertise, accessible only to wealthy patrons.

Chemical and spectroscopic analyses conducted on the pigments found in the Domus Aurea confirm the very high quality of the materials used. The presence of the ingot of Egyptian blue, in particular, represents tangible evidence of the excellence of the craftsmen who worked on the imperial palace, a true laboratory of art and innovation.

One of the main centers of Egyptian blue production and export was Alexandria, Egypt. However, more recent discoveries have revealed the existence of production centers in Italy as well, in places such as Cumae, Literno and Pozzuoli, the latter mentioned by Vitruvius himself as a place of excellence for the quality of the pigment. In Pompeii, the evidence mainly concerns its use in luxury contexts, while the discovery in the Domus Aurea, in an area directly linked to the imperial court, confirms its use for decorations of the highest level.

The context in which this rare ingot was found opens up new perspectives for study not only on Roman artistic production, but also on the influence of Egyptian blue in later centuries. During the Renaissance, in fact, artists such as Raphael rediscovered ancient painting techniques. The “Triumph of Galatea,” a famous fresco created in the Villa Farnesina, testifies to how the brilliant Egyptian blue was still a source of inspiration for Renaissance artists, who admired its extraordinary chromatic and luministic qualities.

The Domus Aurea, then, is confirmed to be not only a monument of extraordinary beauty, but also a valuable repository of technical and artistic knowledge that continues to surprise scholars. The current campaign of excavation and analysis promises further discoveries that could help reconstruct an even more complete picture of decorative practices in antiquity and their repercussions in later centuries.

A pigment that unites past and present, ideally linking the skilled hands of Roman artisans with those of Renaissance painters, the Egyptian blue found in the Domus Aurea represents not only an object of study, but also a symbol of the artistic and cultural continuity that links the history of Rome to the great masterpieces of humanity.

“The fascination conveyed by the depth of blue of this pigment is incredible,” comments Alfonsina Russo, director of the Colosseum Archaeological Park, “the Domus Aurea once again excites and restores the brilliance of the colors used by the painters who skillfully decorated the rooms of this precious and refined imperial palace.”

Rome, Egyptian blue ingot discovered at Domus Aurea: extremely rare find

Warning: the translation into English of the original Italian article was created using automatic tools. We undertake to review all articles, but we do not guarantee the total absence of inaccuracies in the translation due to the program. You can find the original by clicking on the ITA button. If you find any mistake,please contact us.