Oldest Eyeliner Discovered in Turkey’s Ancient Prehistoric City

October 1, 2024

Archaeologists have recently found the oldest known kohl stick, a type of ancient eyeliner, at an archaeological site called Yeşilova Höyük in Turkey. This discovery shows that people have been using makeup for more than 8,000 years.

The Discovery

The kohl stick is made from a green serpentine stone and has traces of black paint on its tip. It is more than 8,200 years old, making it the earliest evidence we have of people using cosmetics. Zafer Derin, the lead archaeologist, explained that kohl has been used in many different cultures throughout history.

Kohl was commonly used in places like Egypt, the Levant (eastern Mediterranean), and Anatolia (modern-day Turkey). It was not just for looking beautiful but also had medicinal purposes. The presence of this kohl stick suggests that even 8,200 years ago, women in the Aegean region of Yeşilova cared about enhancing their appearance.

Physical Details of the Kohl Stick

The kohl stick is about 10 cm long and 1 cm thick. It is finely shaped, similar to a pen, showing that people back then had advanced skills in crafting tools for precise use.

To use the kohl stick, people likely dipped it in kohl powder and applied it to their eyes as makeup. The black substance on the stick’s tip is believed to contain manganese oxide, which was a common ingredient in traditional kohl.

Kohl’s Medicinal and Cultural Uses

Besides being a cosmetic, kohl was also used for eye care. Ancient texts suggest it was believed to help treat eye diseases and protect the eyes from sunlight when applied in thick layers around the eyes.

Kohl was usually made by grinding a mineral called stibnite, which is found in hydrothermal deposits. The finely ground powder was then applied around the eyes to create the dark-lined look.

This discovery of the oldest kohl stick shows that the use of makeup has deep roots in human history, serving both cosmetic and medicinal purposes. It also highlights the advanced craftsmanship of ancient civilizations, especially in the area of personal care and beauty.

« Previous Post Next Post »