Egyptian blue 'alive' from the tomb

Overcoming 5,200 years of history, Egyptian Blue - Egyptian blue may become a new fingerprint detection powder, which is significantly more effective than modern medical forensics.

Egyptian Blue Egyptian Blue is said to be the first color of humanity, created by Egyptians around 3,200 BC.

To make it, the ancient Egyptians used a mixture of copper, sand and strong alkali, heated at 800-900 degrees Celsius with strict conditions.

This mesmerizing blue is widely used in paintings, ancient statues, coffins . that archaeologists have found in tombs.

One of the shades of Egyptian blue is represented on pharaoh masks - (photo: INDIANAPOLIS ART MUSEUM).

Over several thousand years of history, scientists have found that using white light to scan antiques, Egyptian green ceramic glaze still glows brightly with chroma near the infrared level of the spectrum, with one color Mysterious roses cannot be seen with the naked eye but are easily detected by specialized devices.

That's why Professor Simon Lewis, the Forensic Medicine and Chemical Analyst, Nanochemistry Research Institute, Curtin University, Western Australia developed a daring research: using this legendary color in the modern forensic technology. .

Fingerprints covered with Egyptian blue powder are identified under a dedicated camera lens - (PHOTO BY THE RESEARCH GROUP PROVIDES).

According to Professor Lewis, fingerprint detection has always been an important part of forensic investigation. A specialized powder can be used to provide the highest contrast to the surface when illuminated, making fingerprints visible.

However, all specialized powders do not give good results on textured surfaces, dark backgrounds or reflections, which the Egyptian blue product does very well!

Professor Lewis offered help from Dr. Gregory Smith, senior conservation scientist of the Indianapolis Museum of Art (USA) and conducted research based on Egyptian artifacts available here.

An ancient work of art covered with Egyptian green ceramics - (Photo: INDIANAPOLIS ART MUSEUM).

The good news for Professor Lewis's team is that Egyptian green has been "reborn" and continues to produce to serve the restoration of ancient art works, with a completely original formula.

However, there are still some problems such as the pigment particles in this composition are quite large compared to the standards of fingerprint identification powder. Scientists are still working on improving this composition in the hope of creating a breakthrough in modern forensic technology.