Archaeologists in the Jiroft region of Kerman in southeastern Iran have made a remarkable discovery: a 3,600-year-old lipstick, believed to be the oldest ever discovered. Excavated from looted tombs, the Bronze Age jewelry provides a fascinating insight into the beauty practices of the past, reflecting the sophistication of the period’s culture the old ones come to light.
The lipstick, presented in a bottle that looks like modern lipstick tubes, was discovered among other things in 2001, when the Halil River flooded several burial sites from the third century BCE. Despite the looting of the local inhabitants, this ancient manuscript was found in a local museum. A red composition of minerals, such as hematite, of manganite and dark brownite, with a small amount of galena and anglesite, the color and waxy texture of this 3,600-year-old lipstick is very similar to modern lipstick recipes.
The study, published in Scientific Reports, suggests that it is likely that the owner of the lipstick used it in a similar way to how people use lipstick today. The thin shape and the size of the bottle show that it must be easy to use the copper/bronze mirror, leaving the other hand to apply the lipstick with a brush or another tool.
Although the exact origin of lipstick is still unknown due to looting, researchers are convinced that it originated from the Bronze Age civilization of the city, possibly ancient Marḫaši. However, the question of who owned the lipstick and whether this proves that lipstick was invented in ancient Iran is still unclear. Nevertheless, the research provides valuable information about the Bronze Age people of ancient Iran, providing insight into their role in society and the use of makeup.
Although the first evidence of women using lipstick dates back to the 12th century BC. A Turin papyrus found in Egypt, Iran’s lipstick serves as a chronology, showing that during the early Bronze Age, people applied makeup to carry out new roles in the society.
Massimo Vidale, one of the authors of this book, points out that the discovery of lipstick challenges the traditional view of the history of technology. He pointed out that the decoration and painting, which is often associated with women, has been an important part of the knowledge about jewelry for thousands of years. Vidale advocates a shift in understanding, recognizing the historical importance of the cosmetics industry and its role in shaping cultural practices related to power, beauty and authority.
The 3,600-year-old Iranian lipstick not only represents a fascinating archaeological find, but also serves as a gateway into the cosmetic practices of ancient societies, challenging preconceived notions. ways to design and express the importance of makeup in the history of technology and cultural issues.
