Even ancient people wore makeup. If you thought that cosmetics are a product of modern fashion, it could come as a surprise to you that ancient civilizations were already wearing makeups.

Recently, cosmetic sticks were excavated from Xiohe Cemetery in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, northewestern China. Scientists claim that that the make-up sticks were made out of cattle' heart. This is the first instance that the organ has been found to be utilized as a cosmetic ingredient.

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The red sticks were located in a leather bag laid beside female mummies. It is presumably 3,600 years old. Other than the irregularly shaped sticks, wooden combs and wooden phallus, which is believed to be emblems of fertility worship, were also found in the boat-shaped wood coffins. 

The research spearheaded by Yang Yimin from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences utilized proteomics analysis and discovered that the protein traces of the objects were characteristics of a bovine heart. Further study using SR micro CT and Raman spectrum revealed a layer of hematite powders, which gives the dehydrate heart its red color. 

Scientists also believe that the fat and collagen found in the heart muscles serve as natural adhesives to fasten the pigments to the paint. Also, utilizing cattle heart might pose some spiritual significance.

The recently discovered red sticks may imply women's part in religious rituals of painting red, according to scientists, as finding red paints inside Xiaohe tombs is not surprising. They have commonly been known to draw red lines across their mummies' foreheads and to painting huge pillars symbolising fertility worship.

Furthermore, the study enlightens researchers of the potential role of cattle not only in the cosmetic industry but also in the Xiaohe Culture, which is approximately 4,000 years old. 

Located in Taklamakan Desert, the Xiaohe Cemetery is popular for ship-shaped coffins. It also offers a variety of unique relics such as a skull with a hole (indicating the early practice of brain surgery) and the cattle gelatine-based adhesive.   

Tagscosmetics, china, cattle heart, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiaohe, history