Researchers have identified a precious scarlet-red dye on 3,800-year-old textile fragments discovered in a desert cave. These rare textiles, composed of uncolored linen and brightly red-dyed wool pieces, were unearthed in 2016 in the Cave of Skulls, located west of the Dead Sea in the Judaean Desert, Israel.
The analysis of these tiny textile pieces has revealed that they contain a red dye derived from scale insects known as Kermes vermilio, a highly esteemed dye source in the ancient world. This groundbreaking discovery, outlined in a study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, marks the earliest documented use of such insects for red dye production.
Despite their minute size, the significance of these textile fragments is substantial. The authors of the study highlighted the historical importance of utilizing scale insects for dyeing textiles during the Middle Bronze Age, underscoring the uniqueness of these findings.
The color red has held symbolic significance across cultures throughout history. Scarlet, among the most prized and costly dyes in the ancient world alongside royal blue and purple, has been referenced multiple times in the Bible.
Various sources, including plants and animals like scale insects, were utilized to produce red dyes in ancient times. The two small textile fragments under examination in this latest study belong to the same artifact and were among numerous well-preserved organic objects found during the 2016 excavation in the Judaean Desert cave.
Despite their diminutive size, the red textile fragments piqued researchers’ interest due to their color, prompting further analysis alongside other artifacts recovered from the cave. Radiocarbon dating identified the fragments as originating from the Middle Bronze Age (1954-1767 B.C.), with the dye analysis revealing its composition from dried bodies of Kermes vermilio insects.
The identification of the ancient dye on the textiles was made possible through High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), a tool commonly used in biology and chemistry laboratories. This advanced method enabled researchers to determine the precise origin of the dye down to the species of scale insect, confirming the use of Kermes vermilio to create the distinctive red hue.
Kermes insects, native to the Mediterranean region, are parasitic creatures that feed on the sap of their host plant. In ancient times, the dye was extracted from the female scale insect found on the Kermes oak tree (Quercus coccifera), with a short collection period during the summer when dye production was at its peak.
The rarity of textiles dyed with Kermes insect dye predating the Roman period globally makes this discovery particularly significant. It sheds light on the established textile dyeing industry in ancient times, hinting at extensive international commercial networks and elite societies.
The presence of these red textile fragments in the Cave of Skulls adds to the mystery of their origin, yet their historical value bridges the gap between written records and archaeological finds, showcasing early evidence of animal-based dyeing practices.