kinnabari
Egypt
1th Century
Source: Miriam Blanco Cesteros, 'Written in Blood? Decoding Some Red Inks of the Greek Magical Papyri', in WoW! Writing on Wax in Ancient Mesopotamia and Today, 2021.
Recipe Details
Evidence
"misunderstanding between two red substances: namely, snake blood and cinnabar (HgS). The latter was called kinnabari (κιννάβαρι) as well as minium (minion/μίνιον)"
Remarks
There was ancient terminological confusion between 'snake blood' and cinnabar (HgS). Cinnabar was also referred to as 'minium' (minion) in Greek sources. (p. 43)
Scientific Analysis
Chemical CompositionHgS
Analytical Techniques
textual analysis
Certainty Level
Probable
Instrumentally Verified
Not Verified
Metadata
Material Type
pigment
ColorRed
RegionEgypt
Approx. Year50
Source Information
AuthorMiriam Blanco Cesteros, 'Written in Blood? Decoding Some Red Inks of the Greek Magical Papyri', in WoW! Writing on Wax in Ancient Mesopotamia and Today, 2021.
CollectionUnknown
Language
N/A
AI Suggestions
Find similar recipes based on ingredients and preparation methods.