Solving the 1,000-Year-Old Mystery of Rare Blue Medieval Paint

Solving the 1,000-Year-Old Mystery of Rare Blue Medieval Paint
Chrozophora tinctoria prepared as watercolor. Paula Nabais, NOVA University
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Researchers have recreated a vivid, purplish-blue watercolor that can be found illustrating the pages of decorated medieval illuminated manuscripts, according to a new study.

But it took a diverse team of researchers, old recipes, and a journey to a medieval walled village in Portugal to determine the source of the elusive color.