Mined in Afghanistan, lapis lazuli was worth more than its weight in gold in medieval Europe, and was used as a pricey pigment in illuminated manuscripts of the time.
Photograph by Shelly O’reilly
Thousands of lapis particles (magnified here) were discovered in the woman's mouth, probably the result of her repeatedly licking a paintbrush containing the pigment.
Photograph by Monica Tromp
A particle of precious blue lapis lazuli is trapped in the fossilised dental plaque of a medieval woman.
Photograph by Christina Warinner
