Colorful language

Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports
1

This is a comment on a ‘classic’ of dear unca Cecile’s, from January 24, 1986: “Could early man only see three colors?”

Link.

It occurred to me that words to describe various colors could be tied to the development of pigments and dyes, for fabrics, faces, facades (and other finery)?

(I’m sure that I am not the only one who thought of this, but Cecile didn’t mention the possibility.)

Now, to the extent that there’s any ‘universalism’ to the sequence of colors added to a language, perhaps there are some pigments which are widely distributed in the world, and also easy to obtain. Perhaps it was the relative complexity of technology which allowed for a broader palette to be created (and longer trade-routes, to bring in rarer sources).

Further, tying descriptions to dyes (besides allowing for tie-dyed shirts), would explain why specific sections of the spectrum are called out, while adjacent areas are ignored.

Any reaction?

2

That question was already raised in this thread.
Powers &8^]

3

I thank the powers that be, for clueing me in.

4

The surviving Egyptian tomb paintings seem to be decently colored, in correct matching colours, and more than 3 hues. How old are some of those?