An ancient blue paint lost for two millennia recently reappeared.
Pompeii Blue was buried when Mount Vesuvius erupted on Italy’s Amalfi Coast in 79 of the Common Era (CE). Last summer, the colour was found in an archeology site in Region XI, near the centre of the old Roman town.
“Blues are timeless colours – still honouring that history will make the colour popular,” says Sarah Kirkpatrick, a Calgary-based interior designer and owner of Unshelf Design.
For centuries, the colour was thought to be lost forever under layers of volcanic ash after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The discovery gives historians more insight into ancient Roman artistry. Researchers say the emergence of the blue room is part of an ongoing plan to protect Pompeii’s vast cultural heritage, which includes 13,000 rooms across 1,070 residential suites and public and religious spaces, according to ABC News.
On the blue walls, female figures are pictured, which are meant to represent the Horae, goddesses of the four seasons and hours in Greek mythology, also known as the daughters of Zeus and Themis. The image also depicts a central panel on the walls, which alludes to allegories of agriculture and sheep farming, according to Pompeii Sites.
PHOTO: AI-GENERATED
Researchers believe the room the colour was found in was said to have been used for religious practices and storing sacred objects. Pompeii blue is rarely used in frescoes and instead is used for highly decorated rooms. According to ABC News, archaeologists came across 15 large vases as well as two sets of bronze jugs and lamps.
“Having something you can refer back to that is 2,000 years old as a paint colour is a really cool part of the story – to bring in something old that isn’t actually vintage,” says Kirkpatrick.
While digging, archaeologists come across large quantities of oyster shells, as well as heaps of building materials, reports ABC News.
For the first time, Torontonians can experience Pompeii blue thanks to history buff Don Fenton, who asked High Park Paints to recreate the colour, offering a peek into a colour that once decorated the walls of Roman villas and temples.
Calgarians can also explore the beautiful hues of Pompeii, Italy, and the historic Pompeii blue through various online platforms, such as Smithsonian Magazine and Pompeii In Color.
The paint also has emotional meaning, according to Kirkpatrick.
“The colour blue and everything else you’ve done with your home should sort of envelop you — lower your heart rate and let you relax,” said the Calgary designer.