Chapter 1
The stone from the sky
Chapter 2
Sacred blues of the ancient world
Chapter 3
The birth of ultramarine
Chapter 4
The great chemistry race
Chapter 5
Out of the blue
YOUR GOAL
Master of The story of ultramarine
Ch 1 · The stone from the sky
andy Caravans carried this heavy blue stone across the Hindu Kush mountains to Mesopotamia and Egypt starting around 3000 BCE.
andy The mineral lazurite gives the stone its deep blue color, while golden flecks of pyrite mimic stars.
Fun Fact
Stained medieval teeth: Archaeologists discovered a 1,000-year-old German nun's teeth stained with lapis lazuli, proving women were highly skilled manuscript painters.
Glossary
lapis lazuli (noun)
A deep-blue metamorphic rock valued for its rich color and used as a gemstone or pigment. Mined in northeastern Afghanistan, this rock was historically ground to produce the world's most expensive blue pigment.
A deep-blue metamorphic rock valued for its rich color and used as a gemstone or pigment. Mined in northeastern Afghanistan, this rock was historically ground to produce the world's most expensive blue pigment.
Quiz
Which ancient trade network was most famous for spreading lapis lazuli across the Asian continent?
Quiz
Which high mountain range had to be crossed by ancient traders transporting lapis lazuli from its source?