The monumental Domus Aurea, the palatial residence built by Emperor Nero in the heart of Rome, continues to unveil fascinating secrets. Recent archaeological research has brought to light a unique find that provides crucial insights into the techniques and materials used to decorate its lavish rooms. Two jars used during the palace’s construction have been discovered, intended for the preparation of lime and the preservation and treatment of color pigments. This discovery includes a remarkable collection of pigments, among which stands out an exceptionally large ingot of Egyptian blue.

As part of the recent excavations, archaeologists found traces of workshops where decorative materials for the frescoes adorning the imperial residence were produced. In the recovered jars, remnants of pigments were identified and subjected to microscopic and spectroscopic analyses.

Among these materials, yellow ochre was found in an amphora, along with reddish pigments such as realgar and red earth. However, the most surprising find was an ingot of Egyptian blue measuring 15 centimeters in height and weighing 2.4 kilograms, an unprecedented size in archaeological contexts.

Egyptian blue ingot Domus Aurea
Detail of the excavation of the amphora with yellow ochre. Credit: Parco archeologico del Colosseo

Egyptian blue, also known as “frit,” is a synthetic pigment not found in nature. It is produced through a high-temperature firing process involving a mixture of silica, limestone, copper-containing minerals, and sodium carbonate. This process was described by the Roman architect Vitruvius in his work De Architectura (Book VII, Chapter 11).

Known since at least the third millennium BCE in Egypt and Mesopotamia, Egyptian blue spread throughout the ancient Mediterranean and became an essential element in Roman pictorial decorations. It was used to create sophisticated and luminous chromatic effects, often in combination with other pigments. Its applications included creating cool shadows in skin tones, shading folds in garments, and illuminating eyes in artistic compositions.

The size and weight of the ingot found in the Domus Aurea make it an exceptional rarity. Typically, this pigment is found in powdered form or as small spheres, as evidenced by discoveries in Pompeii. The presence of such a large ingot suggests a high degree of specialization among the artisans who worked in Nero’s palace and underscores the luxury and sophistication of imperial decorations.

Egyptian blue ingot Domus Aurea
Detail of the Egyptian blue ingot found in the Domus Aurea. Credit: Simona Murrone / Parco archeologico del Colosseo

According to Alfonsina Russo, director of the Colosseum Archaeological Park, the discovery of this ingot and other pigments confirms the skill and creativity of the craftsmen who worked on the palace’s decorations, using extremely costly materials and advanced techniques for their time.

This discovery also has implications for the study of Renaissance art. During the Renaissance, artists rediscovered the frescoes of the Domus Aurea, drawing inspiration from them for their own works. One such example is Raphael’s The Triumph of Galatea, where Egyptian blue contributed to the luminous effects of the composition.

The find thus connects two key periods in the history of art: the decorative splendor of the Roman Empire and the Renaissance reinterpretation of its techniques. Ongoing research may shed new light on the evolution of materials and methods used in both eras.



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