Researchers found the remains of a woman over 2,000 years old in northwest China with red-dyed teeth thanks to the use of cinnabar, a mineral composed of mercury sulfide. This is the first documented case in history where this material has been used to pigment teeth, leading experts to nickname the woman the Red Princess of the Silk Road.
The discovery was made in the Shengjindian cemetery, located in the Turpan Basin, a key region along the Silk Road. The young woman, aged between 20 and 25, was buried alongside three other individuals in a tomb dating from the period between 202 BC and 8 AD, during the Han Dynasty.
Her skeleton showed traces of red pigment on her teeth, which immediately caught the attention of archaeologists. To determine the composition of the pigment, scientists employed advanced analytical techniques such as Raman spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence, and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy.
The results confirmed that the red pigment on the woman’s teeth was cinnabar, adhered with a protein-based binder. This discovery is unique in the history of archaeology, as cinnabar had not previously been documented for use in tooth dyeing. We do not know if the dye was applied for aesthetic, religious, or medicinal purposes, but this discovery opens a window into the complex beliefs of ancient Silk Road civilizations, explain the researchers.
Since prehistoric times, red has been a color rich in symbolism in various cultures around the world. It has been associated with power, life, death, and spirituality. In China, cinnabar was used for decorations, funerary rituals, and even in alchemy, as it was believed to have magical and medicinal properties.
Researchers have proposed several hypotheses as to why the Red Princess of the Silk Road had dyed teeth. One suggests that the young woman may have been a shaman or a high-status religious figure, as cinnabar was linked to spiritual beliefs in the region. It has also been considered that the pigment may have been applied as a sign of beauty or social distinction.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the discovery is the origin of the cinnabar. The Turpan Basin is not rich in this mineral, suggesting it must have been imported from other regions. In ancient times, the main sources of cinnabar were located in the southwest of China, in provinces such as Hunan and Sichuan, as well as in Europe, particularly in the famous Almadén mine in Spain.
The case of the Red Princess of the Silk Road raises more questions than answers. While it has been determined that the red pigment is cinnabar and was applied with a protein binder, archaeologists still do not know the exact purpose of this practice. Was it a common custom in the region or a unique case? Did it have a ritual significance or was it a sign of status?
To answer these questions, researchers have proposed expanding the study to other nearby tombs and conducting DNA analysis on the woman’s remains and those of the other individuals buried with her. This could reveal key information about her lineage, her connection to other populations, and the role she played in her society.
SOURCES
You, S., Ren, M., Sun, L. et al. Red princess of the Silk Road – the first-and-only known case of cinnabar-stained teeth in antiquity from the Iron Age Western Regions (202BCE − 8CE). Archaeol Anthropol Sci 17, 69 (2025). doi.org/10.1007/s12520-025-02188-5
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