Archaeologists had discovered a special type of bottle while excavating a place in Iran a couple of decades ago. After carrying out research, they recently found that the intricately decorated chlorite vial contained the oldest lipstick of the world!

Archaeologists had discovered the vial in the Jiroft region of Iran in 2001 following a flood by the Halil River. Although the researchers realised that the vial contained ancient cosmetic item, they were not sure about its age. After nearly two decades of research, they have come to the conclusion that the deep red paste, contained in the vial, was manufactured between BC 1936 and BC 1687, suggesting its origins from the Marhasi Civilisation that once thrived in what is now the eastern part of the Islamic Republic.

Researchers used radiocarbon dating method to determine the age of 3,700-year-old cosmetic artefact. As per a report published in Scientific Reports journal on February 1, 2024, this lipstick was made from a blend of hematite, manganite, braunite, galena, anglesite and plant-based waxes. The red colour of the cosmetic product is due to the presence of hematite, an oxide mineral.

According to archaeologists, the stunning discovery has helped them to bridge the ancient world with modern aesthetics. They are of the opinion that one of the oldest tubes of lipstick ever found provides a glimpse into the sophisticated beauty practices of the Bronze Age in West Asia, apart from showing the advanced cosmetological traditions of ancient Iran. Currently, the vial is housed in the Archaeological Museum of Jiroft.

It may be noted that archaeologists had also discovered a number of ancient graveyards and buried treasures in Jiroft in 2001. Those treasures highlight the rich cosmetic history of this particular region. The Marhasi people used to manufacture eyeliners made from sormeh, and powders for cheeks and eyebrows, as well. It is evident in this discovery that the Marhasi culture used to celebrate beauty in various forms. Furthermore, the composition of the lipstick has proven that hematite, manganite, braunite, galena, anglesite and plant-based waxes were common ingredients to manufacture cosmetics at that period of time.

Placed in a vial uniquely different from other cosmetic containers of the same period, the mixture has further helped researchers to get an idea about the early form of branding and packaging of cosmetic products. It indicates that ancient civilisations might have traded cosmetic products in standardised containers for easy identification.

Meanwhile, researchers are yet to identify the owner of this vial, as little is known about the individuals buried in the ancient graveyards of the region. Massimo Vidale, the co-author of the article published in Scientific Reports, has stressed that the discovery not only sheds light on the cosmetic practices of ancient Iran, but also challenges the notion of makeup as a secondary women’s matter in ancient times.

Boundless Ocean of Politics on Facebook

Boundless Ocean of Politics on Twitter

Boundless Ocean of Politics on Linkedin

Contact: kousdas@gmail.com

Published by Koushik Das

Koushik Das (born on May 16, 1976 in Kolkata) is a career journalist. Based in the Indian capital of New Delhi, Koushik writes mainly about foreign policies and current geopolitical issues, and rarely about other topics. His own political ideas are highly influenced by Antonio Gramsci, Louis Althusser, Michel Foucault, Michael Oakeshott and others. English philosopher and political theorist Oakeshott (Dec 11, 1901-Dec 19, 1990) says that “in political activity, men sail a boundless and bottomless sea. There is neither harbour for shelter nor floor for anchorage, neither starting-place, nor appointed destination. But we have to keep afloat”. (Rationalism in Politics, 1962) As a student of Political Science, Koushik loves to share his views on issues, which have great impacts on his thought process (and also on India, South Asia and of course on the global community), with his readers through his website – Boundless Ocean of Politics. By doing so, he tries to keep himself afloat. You will find some of his articles in https://inserbia.info/today/ (https://inserbia.info/today/author/kou_das13_i/), as he has been trying to assess the global geopolitics since 2003. You can also mail him at kousdas@gmail.com View all posts by Koushik Das