Ancient Egyptian Paint Holder

This paint holder is made from the shell of the giant clam from the Red Sea. Egyptians often used natural objects to store paint and cosmetics.

SUPER SCIENCE! Testing by the University of York found the shell contains red paint made from of red ochre, plant oil and plant gum, a similar combination to that used to paint a royal tomb in the Valley of the Kings, c. 1500 BCE.

Image: © Harrogate Borough Council, Museums and Arts Service