Experts say the pigment was worth more than gold and used to dye the clothes of imperial figures.

A rare dye made from snails for the robes of the Roman elite almost 2,000 years ago has been unearthed at a cricket club.

The chunk of Tyrian purple, roughly the size of a ping pong ball, was dug up at Carlisle Cricket Club as part of ongoing yearly excavations.

A Roman bathhouse was discovered at the site in 2017 and in the last three years 2,000 items including pottery, weapons, coins and semi-precious stones have been found.

  • @[email protected]English
    2•6 months ago

    What’s a semi precious stone? I’ve read the article and seen the pictures, but still don’t know. Is it stones that are pretty but with little monetary value?

    • @Shave_MyBeeverEnglish
      2•6 months ago

      Basically any gemstone that isn’t a diamond, ruby, sapphire, or emerald I believe.

      • @[email protected]English
        2•6 months ago

        Thanks for your reply. I looked it up now and it looks like you’re right.

        There doesn’t seem to be any scientific difference, it looks like it is based on how people feel about these stones.

        • @Shave_MyBeeverEnglish
          2•6 months ago

          Yeah, what some people deemed the prettiest, and the more rare I imagine. Status symbols ha ha