An archaeological discovery in the Turpan Basin of northwest China has revealed the remains of a woman more than 2,000 years old, distinguished by her red-dyed teeth—a unique practice not previously documented in history. The find was made in the Shengjindian cemetery, a key region along the ancient Silk Road, where archaeologists began excavations in 2007.
The woman, estimated to have been between 20 and 25 years old at the time of her death, was buried alongside three other individuals in a tomb dating from the period between 202 BCE and 8 CE during the Han Dynasty, a time when Turpan was a major center of the Silk Road. Experts have suggested she may have been at the heart of shamanic practices that illustrate the beliefs of her time, according to SciencePost.
The red pigment and binder present on the surface of the teeth were analyzed using techniques including Raman spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The results confirmed that the pigment was cinnabar, adhered with a protein-based binder.
Cinnabar is a toxic mineral composed of mercury sulfide that can cause mercury poisoning when handled improperly. Despite its danger, cinnabar was venerated by many ancient civilizations and was used in burials, painting, and alchemy, reflecting its connection with religion, ornamentation, and medicine. "Cinnabar was believed to have magical and medicinal properties, and its use in ancient practices reflects the deep meanings attributed to colors and natural substances in human civilizations," noted Archaeology Magazine.
In China, cinnabar was used for decorations, funerary rituals, and even in alchemy, prized for its medicinal and religious uses despite its toxicity. Cinnabar has been found on the surface of ceramics over 8,500 years old in China. The main sources of cinnabar in ancient times were located in the southwest of China, in provinces such as Hunan and Sichuan. Since no cinnabar mine is known in the Turpan region, researchers believe the mineral was likely imported from other regions.
One hypothesis suggests that the young woman may have been a shaman or a high-status religious figure, as cinnabar was linked to spiritual beliefs in the region.
Researchers have proposed expanding the study to other nearby tombs. They also plan to conduct DNA analysis on the woman's remains and those of the other individuals buried with her. This could reveal key information about her lineage, her connection to other populations, and the role she played in her society.
“Given the importance of this discovery and the potentially high social status of this young woman, we have named her the "Red Princess of the Silk Road," directly referencing the famous Maya tomb of the so-called Red Queen of Palenque, Mexico,'" the researchers noted, according to SciencePost.
"Under the influence of shamanic beliefs, cinnabar could have served as a psychoactive drug due to its ability to alter consciousness and facilitate communication with the gods," they added.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.