The bright red dye discovered in the cave was made from the roots of a plant called Rubiaceae over 15,000 years ago. In some areas, the plant is known as woodruff or madder. It grows throughout ...

The root of the madder plant produced a red colour, woad offered blue and yellow was derived from weld. Plants were soaked in hot water and wool was immersed in the dye bath. Stale urine may have ...

Crimson lake could, however, equally be made from the root of the madder plant or cochineal extracted ... root of the word 'ingrained', because the dye was relatively long-lasting.