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Characterization of cosmetic sticks at Xiaohe Cemetery in early Bronze Age Xinjiang, China.

  • 2016-01-28
  • Scientific reports 6(1)
    • Huijuan Mai
    • Yimin Yang
    • Idelisi Abuduresule
    • Wenying Li
    • Xingjun Hu
    • Changsui Wang

Study Design

Population
red cosmetic sticks, found in Xiaohe Cemetery (1980-1450BC), Xinjiang, China
Methods
The structure of the red cosmetic sticks was disclosed by SR-μCT scanning (Synchrotron Radiation Micro-computed Tomography), while the chemical components were characterized by FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy), Raman Spectroscopy and Proteomics.
  • Rigorous Journal
Cosmetics have been studied for a long time in the society and culture research, and its consumption is regarded as a cultural symbol of human society. This paper focuses on the analysis of the red cosmetic sticks, found in Xiaohe Cemetery (1980-1450BC), Xinjiang, China. The structure of the red cosmetic sticks was disclosed by SR-μCT scanning (Synchrotron Radiation Micro-computed Tomography), while the chemical components were characterized by FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy), Raman Spectroscopy and Proteomics. The results suggested that the cosmetic sticks were made from the cattle heart and covered with a layer of hematite powders as the pigment. Given the numerous red painted relics in Xiaohe Cemetery, this kind of cosmetic sticks might be used as a primitive form of crayon for makeup and painting. The usage of cattle hearts as cosmetic sticks is firstly reported up to our knowledge, which not only reveals the varied utilizations of cattle in Xiaohe Cemetery but also shows the distinctive religious function. Furthermore, these red cosmetic sticks were usually buried with women, implying that the woman may be the painter and play a special role in religious activities.

Research Insights

  • Kefir Culture→Cosmetic Material Identification

    The results suggested that the cosmetic sticks were made from the cattle heart and covered with a layer of hematite powders as the pigment.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
  • Kefir Culture→No Human Health Outcome Reported

    The abstract describes characterization of red cosmetic sticks from Xiaohe Cemetery using SR-μCT, FTIR, Raman Spectroscopy and Proteomics; it does not report any study of consuming Eastern European Wild Kefir Culture or any health outcomes.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
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