LIB508
The Weird and Wonderful World of Colour: The Archaeology of Dyes, Pigments and Paints
From Tutankhamun’s golden-hued tomb (ca. 1300 BCE) to today’s sunshine-yellow “smiley face” emoji, humans have always enjoyed a rainbow of colours. However, finding fashionable hues wasn’t always as easy as visiting the art supply shop. History is full of people using unusual materials (such as rocks, plants, gemstones, cuttlefish and sea snails!) to create inventive new pigments. We’ll explore the history and science of pigments through an archaeological perspective. We’ll discuss the earliest pigments used in cave paintings, ancient man-made colours and the perils of creating and using the pigments and dyes of the past.
This course is offered online.
A $50 discount is available during check-out for adults 55+.
Overview
Location: Online
Format: Self-paced with weekly virtual class
Duration: 6 weeks
Tuition: $180 plus GST
Can be applied to:
Liberal Arts for 55+ Certificate
Upcoming Offerings
Currently not available for registration.
Course outline
- Week 1: Introduction—light waves, lasers and the meaning of colour
We’ll begin by introducing some of the ways that we make meaning through colours. We’ll also break down the science of “seeing” colours, by learning about light waves and the visible colour spectrum. - Week 2: Red, black, yellow and white—the world’s first experiments in using colour
Cultural behaviours and linguistics follow interesting patterns when it comes to naming and using colours. In this session, we’ll explore the archaeological evidence for the earliest use of colours in cave paintings and other artwork. - Week 3: Copper, salt and toxic rocks—inventing new pigments in ancient history
Around 6,000 years ago, humans started experimenting with different materials to invent vibrant, new pigments. We’ll discuss historic innovations like the very first synthetic pigment (Egyptian blue) and other hues created by ancient civilizations. - Week 4: The most popular purple and other pigments of icky origins
Humans from the past chose unexpected (and sometimes gross!) materials to create fashionable and coveted hues. We’ll uncover some of the shocking origins of a few historic colours, including a shade of purple worth its weight in gold. - Week 5: It’s not easy being green—poisonous pigments and wicked wallpaper
The colour green is steeped in cultural connotations—green shades have come to represent evil, toxicity or the otherworldly. In this session, we’ll discuss the historical context of green pigments and dyes, dating back to Medieval Europe (500-1500 CE). - Week 6: Fakes, forensics and patented hues—ancient technology and modern science
We’ll explore the far-reaching impact of studying the science of pigments. Researchers, engineers and investigators can use the chemistry of colour to identify fake artworks, optimize aircraft, solve crimes and learn more about the human past.
What you will learn
By the end of the course, you should be able to:
- Identify the materials used to make early pigments and dyes
- Explain the historical and cultural significance of colours like Egyptian blue, royal purple and green
- Describe how and why researchers (archaeologists, chemists, engineers, historians, etc.) study pigments
How you will learn
- Participation in Zoom-based lectures
- Engaging in class discussions
- Reading academic and non-academic articles and book chapters
- Viewing video clips and documentaries
- Reflective essay (applicable only to certificate students)
Learning Materials
No textbook is required. We will provide all course materials online.
Technical Requirements
For online courses, you will need a computer with audio and microphone that is connected to the internet. Canvas is the online system that will be used for the course. For more information and online support, visit Online Learning.