Cinnabar (resource)

Dates of Use: Before 3000 BCE–rarely used today

Source: Natural inorganic mineral

Chemical Name: Mercuric sulfide

Formula: HgS (plus natural mineral impurities such as pyrite,  opal,  quartz, and  dolomite )

 

  • Cinnabar is a natural inorganic mineral mined from the earth. 
  • It was an uncommonly bright and opaque red pigment for its time. 
  • Cinnabar is somewhat rare and was highly valued in many ancient cultures. These included Chinese, Egyptian, Mesopotamian, and ancient Roman cultures. It was also valued by the Olmecs, Maya, and other early civilizations in ancient America.
  • Cinnabar strongly resists fading, like all inorganic mineral pigments. Iit is somewhat chemically unstable, and it can turn black under certain conditions.

Toxic but Valued

Cinnabar is highly toxic and extremely unhealthy to mine and process. This is because of the high levels of mercury it contains. Even though it was known to be dangerous, cinnabar was used in great quantities, especially in the creation of ancient Roman murals and ancient American sculptures. Mining and processing cinnabar was usually left to slaves and the least privileged workers.

Detail image of a man processing material circa 15th-16th century

A man processing material circa 15th-16th century INTERFOTO / Alamy Stock Photo

A photo of printed text depicting an apparatus for the distillation of cinnabar

Science History Institute, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Photo by: Douglas A. Lockard

Two female theatre masks. Roman fresco from the House of the Golden Bracelet (VI 17, 42) in Pompeii.

The red background in this ancient Roman Fresco from Pompeii is painted with cinnabar.

Cinnabar in Ancient America

Ancient Americans used cinnabar on important sculptures and murals. The Maya (circa 250 to 900 CE) considered cinnabar to contain ch’ulel (soul force). This made it a sacred substance. The Aztecs (circa 1300 to1521) bathed new artworks in red pigment to give them soul force.

 

A photo of an Olmec style ceramic seated figure
An Olmec style ceramic seated figure, the hair is painted with cinnabar.

 

Cinnabar was also used for important ceremonies and burials of individuals with high social status. Many cultures have used red pigments in their burial traditions. These pigments were used in graves, on bodies, and on burial masks. Sometimes human blood was even mixed with cinnabar to create a special paint. This red paint was applied directly to the body of the deceased.

 

Una máscara de metal dorado con un rostro de aspecto humano, con ojos azules y verdes y vetas de pintura roja en las mejillas y la frente.
A funerary mask with traces of cinnabar.

 

The use of cinnabar for centuries in ancient American cultures led to heavy mercury pollution. The pollution can be found in ancient cities like Tikal and Cerén. Archaeologists have uncovered evidence of mercury in Maya skeletal remains. It accumulated when the people were still alive. The amounts were significant enough to negatively impact health. One of Tikal’s last rulers might have suffered from a disease as a result of chronic mercury poisoning.