Oldest Makeup In History? Egyptian Eyeliner Used 2,700 Years Ago Has Its Unprecedented Formula Revealed

Written by Romário Pereira de Carvalho

Published on 17/06/2025 at 21:11

Updated on 17/06/2025 at 21:13

Delineador preto usado no Egito Antigo e no Oriente Médio foi encontrado no Irã e continha ingrediente nunca antes visto em fórmulas de maquiagens do tipo — Foto: Silvia Amicone/CC BY 4.0

1 person reacted to this.

2,700-Year-Old Eyeliner Found in Tomb in Iran with Unique Formula Made of Graphite, Without Fat or Vegetable Oil

An archaeological find in Iran has drawn the attention of the scientific community. At the Kani Koter site, researchers discovered a ceramic container with black eyeliner used 2,700 years ago.

The product found is known as “kohl”, a common makeup in Ancient Egypt and the Middle East. But this sample revealed something unprecedented: a formula with natural graphite, something never before identified in ancient recipes of this type.

The study was published in the journal Archaeometry. According to the authors, the container contained a black powder made of manganese and graphite. The combination of the crushed ingredients formed a fine powder, which was likely used around the eyes.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW

See also

Graphite has properties that reflect light, producing a metallic black shine when applied. Additionally, it adheres easily to the skin, making the makeup effective. Unlike other cosmetics of the time, no traces of animal fat or vegetable oil were found in the analyzed content.

The eyeliner was found inside a tomb, alongside other personal items, weapons, and tools related to the use of cosmetics. Two applicators and two containers were located, one of which still contained enough powder for detailed study.

Based on the set of objects, archaeologists believe the tomb belonged to someone of high status. It possibly belonged to an important warrior of the time. The find reinforces the symbolic and functional value of makeup in ancient civilizations.

With information from Revista Galileu.

Oldest Makeup In History? Egyptian Eyeliner Used 2,700 Years Ago Has Its Unprecedented Formula Revealed

2,700-Year-Old Eyeliner Found in Tomb in Iran with Unique Formula Made of Graphite, Without Fat or Vegetable Oil

While an average building in London or New York takes three years to be completed, in China a 26-story tower went up in five days with about 100 workers, and the global modular construction market already moves US$ 95 billion per year.

Australia installs giant concrete structures on the seabed 800 meters from the shore to create an ocean intake for desalination that will draw in saltwater and produce 30 million liters of drinking water per day.

While a traditional school may take several days just to raise walls, in Malawi a 3D-printed school had its structure ready in 18 hours, welcomed children in June, and showed a new solution to the lack of classrooms.

Goodbye traditional washing machine: Panasonic surprises housewives with the NA-G5 featuring four drums, a 13 kg washer and dryer, a 12 kg dryer, independent mini washers, a heat pump, and a 4-in-1 system awarded at the German Design Award.

Material once seen as a poor man’s choice returns as a climate bet, with red clay replacing part of the gray concrete in modern buildings, hospitals, houses, and a cultural center that transforms tradition into a solution against urban heat.

American company deploys humanoid robots to work live for 8 hours and surprises by showing machines handling packages at an almost human pace while accelerating production on a global industrial scale

Boeing delivers 3 units of the MQ-25A Stingray to the U.S. Navy with 7,250 kg of fuel and a range of 930 km — the first carrier-based drone in history.

U.S. Navy activates ODIN AN/SEQ-4 on USS Dewey, Stockdale, and Spruance — laser dazzler degrades Iranian drone sensors during Operation Epic Fury in the Red Sea

China completes excavation of bullet train tunnel 89 meters under the Yangtze: Linghang conquers 11.18 km in 23 months for uninterrupted 350 km/h

AeroVironment raises LOCUST X3 laser with 35 kilowatts and AI-targeting AV_Halo, takes down drone swarm for less than $5 per shot aboard the USS George H.W. Bush

While the Brazil-Peru rail has been under study for 11 years, China-Brazil unlock the $18.5 billion bi-oceanic corridor Manaus-Chancay to challenge the Panama Canal

Oldest Makeup In History? Egyptian Eyeliner Used 2,700 Years Ago Has Its Unprecedented Formula Revealed

2,700-Year-Old Eyeliner Found in Tomb in Iran with Unique Formula Made of Graphite, Without Fat or Vegetable Oil

While an average building in London or New York takes three years to be completed, in China a 26-story tower went up in five days with about 100 workers, and the global modular construction market already moves US$ 95 billion per year.

Australia installs giant concrete structures on the seabed 800 meters from the shore to create an ocean intake for desalination that will draw in saltwater and produce 30 million liters of drinking water per day.

While a traditional school may take several days just to raise walls, in Malawi a 3D-printed school had its structure ready in 18 hours, welcomed children in June, and showed a new solution to the lack of classrooms.

Goodbye traditional washing machine: Panasonic surprises housewives with the NA-G5 featuring four drums, a 13 kg washer and dryer, a 12 kg dryer, independent mini washers, a heat pump, and a 4-in-1 system awarded at the German Design Award.

Material once seen as a poor man’s choice returns as a climate bet, with red clay replacing part of the gray concrete in modern buildings, hospitals, houses, and a cultural center that transforms tradition into a solution against urban heat.

American company deploys humanoid robots to work live for 8 hours and surprises by showing machines handling packages at an almost human pace while accelerating production on a global industrial scale

China completes excavation of bullet train tunnel 89 meters under the Yangtze: Linghang conquers 11.18 km in 23 months for uninterrupted 350 km/h

Q-Day is coming: the quantum threat that can unlock passwords, banks, cryptocurrencies, medical data, and turn internet security upside down

Denmark deploys four 10-meter robot ships to monitor the Baltic Sea, protect submarine cables, and track invisible threats following explosions, sabotage, and rising tensions with Russia.

Textron Systems presents the Ripsaw M1, a nearly 2-ton military ground robot designed to fight alongside US Marines, hunt drones, launch munitions, and keep soldiers out of the line of fire.

Forget regular asphalt: USA, France, Germany, and Switzerland are starting to test highways with armored solar panels capable of supporting heavy trucks, generating electricity for entire neighborhoods, and transforming 1 km of road into an intelligent solar power plant.

Boeing delivers 3 units of the MQ-25A Stingray to the U.S. Navy with 7,250 kg of fuel and a range of 930 km — the first carrier-based drone in history.

U.S. Navy activates ODIN AN/SEQ-4 on USS Dewey, Stockdale, and Spruance — laser dazzler degrades Iranian drone sensors during Operation Epic Fury in the Red Sea

China completes excavation of bullet train tunnel 89 meters under the Yangtze: Linghang conquers 11.18 km in 23 months for uninterrupted 350 km/h

AeroVironment raises LOCUST X3 laser with 35 kilowatts and AI-targeting AV_Halo, takes down drone swarm for less than $5 per shot aboard the USS George H.W. Bush

While the Brazil-Peru rail has been under study for 11 years, China-Brazil unlock the $18.5 billion bi-oceanic corridor Manaus-Chancay to challenge the Panama Canal