The Dama de Elche (or Lady of Elx) is the name of the bust of a woman carved sometime between the 5th and 4th centuries BC and currently on display in the National Archaeological Museum of Madrid. The now greyish bust was originally painted in a variety of vivid colors, two of which have been identified as natural vermillion pigment and Egyptian Blue.
Dama de Elche, at the National Archaeological Museum of Madrid. Photo by Luis Garcia
Although the context for the Dame has been lost--the bust was found by accident in the late 19th century near the Spanish site of La Alcudia--archaeologists believe it belongs to the Classic Iberian period. In the back of this lovely serene image is a secret: a large oval opening to the hollow interior of the lady. Recent research has found microscopic evidence within the interior for the function of the statue: as an urn for keeping cremated human remains.
- Read more about the Dama de Elche
- Egyptian Blue
- What does Context mean to an archaeologist?
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