Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

DLottchula t1_jbs0a7k wrote

Reply to comment by IBAZERKERI in The colors on these ancient pots hint at the power of an empire by egg_static5

Couldn’t they just mix red and blue?

3

EatFrozenPeas t1_jbs1edk wrote

Brilliant red wasn't accessible until the Colombian exchange. It comes predominantly from cochineal beetles, even to this day. (Red 40, anyone?). Blue existed, but mixing what they had access to would create a muddy, brown- or gray-hued purple instead of the brilliant hue of true royal purple.

21

Oregonoutback t1_jbsor1k wrote

Fun fact... Starbucks strawberry Frappuccino uses a food dye made from those beetles.

Hakuna matata!

2

EatFrozenPeas t1_jbs1hu0 wrote

Brilliant red wasn't accessible until the Colombian exchange. It comes predominantly from cochineal beetles, even to this day. (Red 40, anyone?). Blue existed in some forms, but the accessible inexpensive ones were not very bright either. They were typically plant-derived. Mixing what they had access to would create a muddy, brown- or gray-hued purple instead of the brilliant hue of true royal purple.

10

DLottchula t1_jbte7u5 wrote

Thanks for the info. I didn’t think about what the colors were made of would effect how they mix

1