Those pale marble statues still hold traces of colour.

Egyptian blue survives on the Parthenon sculptures. Shine visible light on it and it emits infrared light that a special camera can detect.

Ancient paint, revealing itself in a glow our eyes can't see.

Ancient paint is hiding on those marble statues

The same Parthenon sculpture detail in visible light and infrared luminescence; bright areas reveal Egyptian blue

The same Parthenon sculpture detail in visible light and infrared luminescence; bright areas reveal Egyptian blue — The Trustees of the British Museum

Tiny surviving traces of blue pigment on two Parthenon figures

Tiny surviving traces of blue pigment on two Parthenon figures — The Trustees of the British Museum

Infrared luminescence reveals surviving Egyptian blue on figure K from the Parthenon

Ancient paint is hiding on those marble statues

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