2,200-Year-Old Ancient “Red Princess” Unearthed in China, Teeth Painted with Toxic Mineral

Xinjiang: Archaeologists in China have made a remarkable discovery: a grave of a woman whose teeth were stained with a vibrant red mineral called cinnabar, a substance known to be highly poisonous.

According to Qian Wang, a lead researcher on the study, this is the first known instance anywhere in the world of cinnabar being used to color teeth in ancient times.

Silk Road Burial Site Yields Unique Find

The woman’s remains were found in a cemetery near Turpan City in the Xinjiang region of northwestern China. This burial ground belonged to the Gushi people, a nomadic group who lived in the Turpan basin. The cemetery’s location along the ancient Silk Road, a major trade route, made it a hub for the exchange of valuable goods, including cinnabar.

The grave contained the remains of four people, including a child. However, the adult female skeleton stood out because of the striking red pigment on her teeth. Scientists determined that she was between 20 and 25 years old when she died.

Analysis of the red pigment revealed it was cinnabar mixed with an animal protein, likely from egg yolk or egg white, suggesting it was intentionally applied to her teeth.

The woman has been nicknamed the “Red Princess of the Silk Road,” drawing a comparison to the “Red Queen” of the Maya civilization, whose remains were found covered in cinnabar powder in Mexico.

Mystery Surrounds Use of Toxic Pigment

Unlike other known uses of cinnabar, such as in tattoos or face paint, this is the first time it has been found on human teeth. The reasons for this practice remain a mystery. It could have been for cosmetic purposes, to indicate social status, or even have a connection to shamanistic rituals.

Other mummies found in the same area had elaborate hairstyles and facial tattoos, suggesting the “Red Princess” may have had other forms of decoration that have not survived.

The presence of cinnabar is particularly interesting because it is not naturally found in Xinjiang. Historically, cinnabar was mined in southwestern China, as well as in parts of Europe and West Asia.

While cinnabar was a valuable material in ancient times, it is also very toxic. It contains mercury and sulfur, and exposure can lead to serious health problems, including neurological damage.

Interestingly, researchers did not find any traces of mercury in the woman’s jawbone, ribs, or femur. This could suggest that the cinnabar was not on her teeth for a long enough period to cause a detectable build-up of the toxin in her bones.

The findings of this study have been published in the journal Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences.