Difficulty: Summiteer (level 3)

Depictions of legendary historical figures from ancient China often show them in elaborate makeup. You might see this in period dramas from China.

But even for ordinary people, makeup was also important.

A Chinese study explored the use of cosmetics among middle- and upper-class people during the Tang dynasty (618-907).

Researchers found that cosmetics were a fun part of daily life for those who could afford them.

Researchers have studied the graves of thousands of wealthy non-elites. They were buried in a complex in Xian, the capital of the Tang dynasty. Scientists have discovered that cosmetics of this era were made from, among other things, moths, animal fat and vegetable oil.

The main purpose of animal fat was to be a moisturizing agent. The use of vegetable oil in more recent tombs shows how makeup had improved. Vegetable oil has been added to facilitate the application of moisturizers.

Answer: animal fat