Photo:Anna Giecco/Wardell Armstring
Purple today is the color associated with resplendent royalty.
This association has a long history.
Made from snails, a dye calledTyrian Purplewas one of the most coveted substances in the Ancient Roman world.
Photo:Anna Giecco/Wardell Armstring
In the drains of the bathhouse, archeologists found severaljewels carved in intaglio.
They also discovered a strange lump with a soft organic interior.
Testing revealed Bromine and beeswax, which is indicative of Tyrian Purple.
Tyrian Purple was created by juicing snails of theMurex brandarisandPurpura haemostomaspecies.
It can take up to 12,000 mollusks to produce 1 gram of dye.
In fact, pound for pound it was more valuable than gold.
The secret to making the rich hue was lost with the passing of the empire.
