PO-PU-RE: WORKSHOPS, USE AND ΑRCHAEOMETRIC ANALYSIS IN PRE-ROMAN CENTRAL EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN

Authors

  • Kalaitzaki, A Dept. of Mediterranean Studies, University of the Aegean, Rhodes, Greece
  • Vafiadou, A Dept. of Mediterranean Studies, University of the Aegean, Rhodes, Greece
  • Frony, Α. Dept. of Mediterranean Studies, University of the Aegean, Rhodes, Greece
  • Reese, D.S. Peabody Museum of Natural History, Yale University, New Haven, U.S.A.
  • Drivaliari, A Lab of Environmental Archaeology, Dept. of Mediterranean Studies, University of the Aegean, Rhodes, Greece

Keywords:

Po-pu-re, Porphyra, Murex, Bolinus brandaris, Hexaplex trunculus, Stramonita haemastoma, purple-dye production, Mediterranean, Textile, Workshops, Tyrian purple, Royal purple, Spectroscopy, Chromatography

Abstract

Po-pu-re (porphyra) denotes the deep red/ purple colour delivered from sea shells extraction and pro- cessing of five species and conversion to dye has been practice in ancient world, especially in the Mediterra- nean Sea. Archaeological excavations have shown that murex was used in Greece and in other areas, such as Egypt, Israel, Turkey, Italy, Spain and generally throughout the Mediterranean basin. The colour of murex was priceless and used in wall-paintings and textiles. Many fabrics have been found in Crete, Egypt and Is- rael. Considering the ancient texts, including those of Plutarch, Pliny, Aristotle, Herodotus and Xenokrates, it has been shown that its identification can be advanced by studying chemical production of purple-dye, while using spectroscopy and chemical analysis the basic chemistry, the dibromoindigotin (DBI), is identi- fied. The present report reviews major murex producing workshops in the Mediterranean and archaeomet- rical analyses that identify this marine shell.

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Published

2023-07-28

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 1 (2017)

Section

Articles