Nanotechnology has been around since the 4th century?

Scientists were surprised when they discovered that a glass made by the Romans 1,600 years ago used techniques similar to modern nanotechnology.

The mysterious cup called the "Lycurgus Cup" is made of sharp double-sided glass , making it green when illuminated from the front and turning bright red when illuminated from behind.

According to Smithsonian magazine, the glass on display at the British Museum in London used techniques similar to modern nanotechnology, with the ability to manipulate materials at the atomic and molecular level. The scientists only deciphered the mystery of the Lycurgus Cup's ability to discolour in 1990, after decades of headache learning about it.

The mysterious cup called "Lycurgus Cup" has the ability to change colors from green to red depending on the direction of the light shining and the location of the observer.(Photo: Daily Mail)

After studying the fragments of the glass under a microscope, the researchers found that the Romans had laced the glass with very small crushed gold and silver particles, about 50 nanometers in diameter, that is, 1,000 times smaller than a grain of salt. The exact amount of metal mixed in makes the experts evaluate the Romans as "pioneers of nanotechnology" and they really understand what they are doing.

Ian Freestone, an archaeologist from University College London, who studied the glass and its unusual optical properties, calls the Lycurgus Cup a "startling feat".

The Lycurgus Cup seems to change color when there is a shining light due to the light of the metal electrons vibrating in ways that change color, depending on the location of the observer. The glass was used to store drinks on special occasions and according to researchers, when the glass is filled with liquids, the behavior of the vibrating electrons will change, leading to the color change of reason.

Gang Logan Liu, an engineer and nanotechnology expert at the University of Illinois (USA), asserted that the Romans knew how to create and use nanoparticles for beautiful works of art.