Artist Rediscovers Mysterious Recipe for Ancient ‘Maya Blue’ Dye

An indigenous sculptor from a small village in Yucatán has recreated the ancient Maya process of extracting blue paint from a native plant via a chemical reaction.

Luis May Ku, 48, saw years of research finally pay off in January, when scientists in Italy and Mexico confirmed that his formula was genuine, making it officially the first time that the world has seen the traditional Maya Blue pigment made in almost two centuries.

Perhaps even more impressive is that this happened within the confines of a self-made laboratory.

The ancestral pigment is known for its unique resistance to weathering, allowing it to appear relatively untouched after more than 1,000 years. It was made and used by Mesoamerican cultures during a period extending from about the eighth century until just after the mid-19th century.

Fantastic pre-Columbian murals and pottery fragments discovered around important archaeological sites show evidence the color was considered exclusive to the gods or to those chosen for ritual sacrifice.