Tyrian purple clump found in Carlisle

[guy]

 

There have been a few posts on either the important Tyrian purple dye or Roman excavations near Carlisle, England (see posts below).
 

Recent excavations at Carlisle have found a soft purple mass. Recent studies have revealed that it is made of beeswax and bromine. Researchers suggest that this represents a solid sample of Tyrian purple dye, possibly a unique finding in Roman archaeology. This expensive and coveted dye was available only to the elite of the Roman world.

According to the article, the rare dye was made from the glands of a marine snail and about 12,000 were needed to obtain less than 2g of pigment.

 

 

 

https://www.newsweek.com/archaeologists-find-rare-item-worth-more-romans-weight-gold-1897206

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjje132jvygo#

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 4 by guy

[guy]

Here’s a short video on the find and another article. This lump of Tyrian purple is thought to be related to the imperial court of Septimius Severus during his stay in Britain. There was some previous evidence of the Imperial Court in Carlisle:

 

Quote

“Other evidence being an inscription stone to the Empress Julia Domna, the date of the monumental building - among the largest on Hadrian’s Wall - coinciding with Emperor Septimius Severus campaigns in Scotland, and an ancient source stating Septimius Severus was in Carlisle, and the high quality of the objects discovered at the bathhouse, granting of civic status to the local Celtic tribal capital at Carlisle; which in effect is the beginning of the city of Carlisle.

 

 

https://arkeonews.net/incredibly-rare-tyrian-purple-discovered-at-carlisle-roman-bathhouse/

 

 

https://www.cumberland.gov.uk/news/2024/rare-roman-discovery-found-carlisle

Edited May 9 by guy