snake's blood
Egypt
4th Century
Source: Miriam Blanco Cesteros, "Written in Blood? Decoding Some Red Inks of the Greek Magical Papyri", 2021.
Recipe Details
Ingredients
snake's blood, goldsmith's soot
Preparation Steps
The ink is composed of snake's blood (αἷμα δρακόντειον) and goldsmith's soot (αἰθάλη χρυσοχοϊκή). In related alchemical texts (MC XLV), Indian snake blood is added to gold in a copper container and melted using charcoal until liquefied (p. 44).
Original Recipe Text
The ink is composed of snake's blood (αἷμα δρακόντειον) and goldsmith's soot (αἰθάλη χρυσοχοϊκή). In related alchemical texts (MC XLV), Indian snake blood is added to gold in a copper container and melted using charcoal until liquefied (p. 44).
Evidence
"The ink: snake's blood and goldsmith's soot (αἷμα δρακόντειον καὶ αἰθάλη χρυσοχοϊκή)"
Remarks
The term 'snake blood' is highly disputed; ancient sources like the Cyranides suggest it is a vegetal substance from the 'Snake-Plant', while others identify it with cinnabar (HgS) or hematite (p. 42-45). The 'soot of goldsmith' may refer to gold or a golden blend described in a hermetic way (p. 45).
Scientific Analysis
Analytical Techniques
philological analysis
textual comparison
Certainty Level
Disputed
Instrumentally Verified
Not Verified
Metadata
Material Type
ink
Paper Typepapyri
ColorRed
RegionEgypt
Approx. Year350
Source Information
AuthorMiriam Blanco Cesteros, "Written in Blood? Decoding Some Red Inks of the Greek Magical Papyri", 2021.
CollectionPGM IV 1999
Language
N/A
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