Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minute
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11
ThatPainter is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More
Archaeologists working in Rome’s Domus Aurea, Nero’s “Golden House,” found a 15-centimeter-high, 2.4-kilogram ingot of Egyptian blue pigment. Its size is striking: the pigment is usually recovered as powder or small spheres. The find was part of a larger work area containing tanks and other materials used to prepare pigments for the palace’s decoration.
What archaeologists found
The Colosseum Archaeological Park reports that investigations identified two tanks used during construction: one for extinguishing lime and another for storing and processing colored pigments. Nearby finds included yellow ocher in an amphora and red pigments, including realgar and red earth, alongside the Egyptian blue ingot ready to be ground. Colosseum Archaeological Park
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsRoma Capitale’s tourism authority gives the block’s measurements as 15 centimeters high and 2.4 kilograms. Archaeology Magazine has rounded its weight to roughly six pounds; the official metric measurement is the more precise figure. Roma Capitale tourism authority Archaeology Magazine
What Egyptian blue is—and how it was made
Egyptian blue is a manufactured pigment, not a naturally occurring mineral. Its production involved heating silica, limestone, copper-containing minerals, and sodium carbonate at high temperatures. The Roman author Vitruvius described the process in De Architectura (VII.11). Roma Capitale tourism authority
#1 Best Overall
- Deep ocean blue: Sapphire color with a pearlescent finish that shifts beautifully in the light.
- Epoxy pigment: Rich blue color for resin ocean pours, beach scenes, river tables and tumblers.
- Easy resin mixing: Fine mica particles disperse evenly in clear epoxy and UV resin.
- Adjustable opacity: Use a tiny amount for translucent blue shimmer or more for deep water color.
- Ocean pairing: Blend with our turquoise, tropical blue and white pigments for ocean effects.
The pigment was used in painting in Egypt and Mesopotamia by the third millennium B.C., long before its appearance in Roman luxury settings. Alexandria was a major production and export center. Archaeology Magazine
Why this block is unusual
Egyptian blue is more commonly found as loose powder or small spheres than as a large intact mass. At 2.4 kilograms, the Domus Aurea ingot preserves a substantial quantity of prepared pigment before grinding. Its exceptional size makes it a rare archaeological form of a pigment otherwise known from smaller pieces and finished decoration. Roma Capitale tourism authority
Rank #2
- USE IT YOUR WAY: Rock n soil blue pigment powder is specifically formulated to dye cement, concrete, grout, render, mortar, flooring, stucco, plaster, putty, clay, limewash and other cement materials.
- MAKE COOL THINGS: DIYers can use this blue concrete pigment to color sculpture, steppingstone, terrazzo, mosaic grout, countertop and planters. Blue color pigments are suitable for tinting coating, epoxy, resin, varnish, glue, wood filler, stain, wax and glaze.
- DURABLE & LONG-LASTING: Matte blue iron oxide powder, high-purity, quality consistency, soluble in water. Particle size 29 µm / 500 mesh. Easily dispersed into the dry mix.
- ANY COLOR YOU WANT: Available in red, yellow, orange, brown, green, blue, grey and black. Pigment powder matte, opaque finish, producing warm earthy tones. All colorant are suitable for interior and exterior use and are intermixable to give a wide range of shades.
- EASY TO USE & CLEAN: Blue dry pigment powder, 5 oz/bag. For concrete mix use, typical ratio:1 part colorant to 20 parts concrete by weight. The more added, the deeper the color. Always do a small sample color test before working on a big project to get the perfect shade you desire.
What the discovery reveals about the Domus Aurea
The tanks and pigment containers point to a working materials area rather than a room containing only finished decoration. Together with the ocher and red pigments, they offer evidence of how materials were handled for the palace’s wall painting. The site authority says the find emerged from investigations of spaces associated with the palace’s construction. Colosseum Archaeological Park
The Domus Aurea was Nero’s imperial residence, built after the fire of A.D. 64. Archaeology Magazine describes it as a vast complex with more than 100 rooms, lavish materials, frescoes, and gardens. A separate 2015 Archaeology Magazine feature cited a historical estimate of more than 300,000 square feet of frescoes; that figure is an attributed estimate, not a new measurement from the pigment discovery. Archaeology Magazine Archaeology Magazine, 2015
Rank #3
- INTENSE CHROMA PIGMENTS - The stunning intensity in this blue pigment powder comes from a special additive known as Prussian Blue. It produces an exceptionally blue richness that combined with mica's natural shimmer, makes this color irresistible. Mix this Blue mica pigment powder into any translucent medium and it'll be a real head turner color!
- BLUE EPOXY RESIN PIGMENT FOR GEODE ART- A unique pigment powder for epoxy resin in a fascinating dark blue shade adding that wow-factor to your resin art creations. From resin geode painting, uv epoxy resin crafts or resin jewelry, stunning results are guaranteed with this unbelievable blue resin colorant for epoxy resin
- BLUE EPOXY RESIN FOR WOOD - Create incredible river tables, resin chessboards, or any other wood and resin project with this blue pigment for resin. You'll fall in love with its navy blue glitter and special effects this special epoxy pigment powder creates when mixed into resin and combined with wood
- VERSATILE MICA POWDER PIGMENT - MEYSPRING mica pigment powders are 10-60 microns in size to better blend with almost any translucent medium like uv resin, nail polish, latex, resin epoxy, automotive paint, varnishes, glazes. They work great as silicone pigment and as colorant for polymer clay & DIY makeup, even as epoxy tumbler supplies
- Don't miss out on the joy of Art-making: At MEYSPRING, we believe everybody deserves to experience the rush of feel-good hormones that come from creating. That's why our mission is to nurture our creative community and help you master the world of Resin Art quickly and cost-effectively while experiencing the extraordinary joy it brings.
After Nero’s death, later rulers stripped and covered much of the palace. Its vaulted spaces were filled and eventually incorporated beneath the Baths of Trajan. Renaissance artists later entered the buried rooms and drew inspiration from their decoration, helping shape the style known as grotesque. Suetonius’s account, in the translation cited by Archaeology Magazine, gives Nero’s ambition a more personal note: “he could finally begin to live like a human being.” Archaeology Magazine
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Can you visit the room where the pigment was found?
The discovery was made in the Domus Aurea in Rome, but the sources reporting the find do not establish that the ingot itself is currently on public display. Check the official Roma Capitale tourism site and Colosseum Archaeological Park for current visitor information and access details before planning a visit.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- FOLK ART-2 fluid ounces of acrylic paint
- Water base heavy pigmentation smooth texture
- Made in United States
Rank #4
- High Concentration, Vibrant Color: Our 100ml Ocean Epoxy Resin Pigment is highly concentrated, meaning a tiny amount delivers powerful, opaque color. Achieve stunningly rich, long-lasting, and fade-resistant results in your resin projects, making every drop count
- Master Ocean Effects & Resin Art: Specifically formulated for creating captivating ocean waves, delicate cells, and intricate lacing effects. This versatile pigment paste is perfect for all your epoxy and UV resin art projects, making it an essential resin art supply for coasters, tumblers, river tables, and unique DIY crafts
- Effortless Application & Control: Designed for ease of use, our pigment comes in a convenient squeeze bottle with a precision nozzle. This allows for controlled dispensing, helping you achieve your desired shades and consistent color saturation every time without mess or waste
- Optimized for Perfect Curing: This concentrated colorant seamlessly blends with epoxy and UV resins. For best results and proper curing, use less than 5% pigment by weight for large projects and under 1% for smaller ones. When using dark colors with UV resin, avoid adding too much pigment, as an overly opaque mixture may block UV light from penetrating and prevent the resin from curing properly
- Exceptional Value for Artists: Made with carefully selected materials, safe for artistic use, our 100ml resin pigment offers good value for both beginners and experienced creators. Craft stunning resin ocean art and various resin crafts with confidence, knowing you have a quality, practical choice to bring your artistic vision to life
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
