Editing Lapis lazuli (section)

===In the ancient world===
{{Further information|Art of ancient Egypt#Lapis lazuli}}
Lapis lazuli has been mined in Afghanistan and exported to the Mediterranean world and South Asia since the [[Neolithic]] age,<ref name="Moorey-1999">{{cite book|last=Moorey|first=Peter Roger|title=Ancient mesopotamian materials and industries: the archaeological evidence|year=1999|publisher=Eisenbrauns|isbn=978-1-57506-042-2|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P_Ixuott4doC&q=Lapis+lazuli+++mines+in+the+Badakhshan&pg=PA86|pages=86–87|access-date=2020-11-08|archive-date=2015-10-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151003232804/https://books.google.com/books?id=P_Ixuott4doC&pg=PA86&dq=Lapis+lazuli+++mines+in+the+Badakhshan&hl=en&ei=sW6_TvWKBIKr8AOTn623BA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&sqi=2&ved=0CDkQ6AEwAQ|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.jewellerymonthly.com/what-is-a-gemstone/|title=A complete guide to Gemstones|last=Monthly|first=Jewellery|date=2015-04-02|work=Jewellery & Watch Magazine {{!}} Jewellery news, jewellery fashion and trends, jewellery designer reviews, jewellery education, opinions {{!}} Wrist watch reviews|access-date=2017-08-28|language=en-GB|archive-date=2017-08-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828191332/http://www.jewellerymonthly.com/what-is-a-gemstone/|url-status=live}}</ref> along the ancient trade route between Afghanistan and the [[Indus Valley]] dating to the 7th millennium BC. Quantities of these beads have also been found at 4th millennium BC settlements in Northern [[Mesopotamia]], and at the [[Bronze Age]] site of [[Shahr-e Sukhteh]] in southeast Iran (3rd millennium BC). A dagger with a lapis handle, a bowl inlaid with lapis, amulets, beads, and inlays representing eyebrows and beards, were found in the Royal Tombs of the Sumerian city-state of [[Ur]] from the 3rd millennium BC.<ref name="Moorey-1999"/>

Lapis was also used in ancient Persia, Mesopotamia by the [[Akkadians]], [[Assyria]]ns, and [[Babylonians]] for [[Cylinder seal|seals]] and jewelry. It is mentioned several times in the Mesopotamian poem, the [[Epic of Gilgamesh]] (17th–18th century BC), one of the oldest known works of literature. The [[Statue of Ebih-Il]], a 3rd millennium BC statue found in the ancient city-state of [[Mari, Syria|Mari]] in modern-day [[Syria]], now in the [[Louvre]], uses lapis lazuli inlays for the irises of the eyes.<ref name="Claire">{{cite web|url=http://www.louvre.fr/en/oeuvre-notices/ebih-il-superintendent-mari|title=Ebih-Il, the Superintendent of Mari|last=Claire|first=Iselin|publisher=[[Musée du Louvre]]|access-date=10 October 2012|archive-date=30 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121230075703/http://www.louvre.fr/en/oeuvre-notices/ebih-il-superintendent-mari|url-status=live}}</ref>

In ancient Egypt, lapis lazuli was a favorite stone for amulets and ornaments such as [[Scarab (artifact)|scarabs]]. Lapis jewellery has been found at excavations of the [[Predynastic Egypt]]ian site [[Naqada]] (3300–3100 BC). At [[Karnak]], the relief carvings of [[Thutmose III]] (1479–1429 BC) show fragments and barrel-shaped pieces of lapis lazuli being delivered to him as tribute. Powdered lapis was used as eyeshadow by [[Cleopatra]].<ref name=bc1995/><ref>[http://indianapublicmedia.org/amomentofscience/cleopatra-wear-makeup/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004224254/http://indianapublicmedia.org/amomentofscience/cleopatra-wear-makeup/|date=2013-10-04}} Moment of Science site, Indiana Public Media</ref>

Jewelry made of lapis lazuli has also been found at [[Mycenae]] attesting to relations between the Myceneans and the developed civilizations of Egypt and the East.<ref>Alcestis Papademetriou, ''Mycenae'', John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation, 2015, p. 32.</ref>

[[Pliny the Elder]] wrote that lapis lazuli is "opaque and sprinkled with specks of gold".{{citation needed|date=September 2024}} Because the stone combines the blue of the heavens and golden glitter of the sun, it was emblematic of success in the old Jewish tradition.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}} In the early Christian tradition lapis lazuli was regarded as the stone of [[Mary, mother of Jesus|Virgin Mary]].{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}

In late classical times and as late as the Middle Ages, lapis lazuli was often called [[sapphire]] (''sapphirus'' in Latin, ''sappir'' in Hebrew),<ref>{{cite book | last = Schumann | first = Walter | others = trans. Annette Englander & Daniel Shea | title = Gemstones of the World | orig-year = 2002 | edition = Newly revised & expanded 3rd | year = 2006 | publisher = Sterling | location = New York | page = 102 | chapter = Sapphire | quote =In antiquity and as late as the Middle Ages, the name sapphire was understood to mean what is today described as lapis lazuli.}}</ref> though it had little to do with the stone today known as the blue [[corundum]] variety sapphire. In his book on stones, the Greek scientist [[Theophrastus]] described "the sapphirus, which is speckled with gold," a description which matches lapis lazuli.<ref>Theophrastus, ''On Stones'' (De Lapidibus) – IV-23, translated by D.E. Eichholtz, Oxford University Press, 1965.</ref>
[[File:Meisje_met_de_parel.jpg|thumb|''[[Girl with a Pearl Earring]]'' by [[Vermeer]]]]

There are many references to "sapphire" in the [[Old Testament]], but most scholars agree that, since sapphire was not known before the Roman Empire, they most likely are references to lapis lazuli. For instance, Exodus 24:10: "And they saw the God of Israel, and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone..." (KJV). The words used in the Latin Vulgate Bible in this citation are "quasi opus lapidis sapphirini", the terms for lapis lazuli.<ref>Pearlie Braswell-Tripp (2013), ''Real Diamonds and Precious Stones of the Bible'' {{ISBN|978-1-4797-9644-1}}</ref> Modern translations of the Bible, such as the New Living Translation Second Edition,<ref>"In His Image Devotional Bible" {{ISBN|978-1-4143-3763-0}}</ref> refer to lapis lazuli in most instances instead of sapphire.