“Lead and arsenic, among other metals, make beautiful color pigments”

Science junkies like me might not want to miss this totally interesting article from last week in the New York Times regarding ancient Egyptian makeup that has been preserved at The Louvre and recently analyzed by researchers.  As it turns out, the makeup was found to be based on lead and other materials we know today to be toxic.  The benefit for them was, along with the deep, rich pigments, that the makeup killed common bacteria of the day.

In ancient Egypt, during periods when the Nile flooded, Egyptians had infections caused by particles that entered the eye and caused diseases and inflammations. The scientists argue that the lead-based makeup acted as a toxin, killing bacteria before it spread.

Interesting article for sure – check it out.