Archil, or orchil, is a purple dye obtained from some lichens by fermentation. It is also the term for any lichen that yields archil and refers to any color obtained from this dye. In the classical period, archil was used to dye silk, wool, and parchment. It was a practical alternative for everyday dyeing and enhancing other colors and served as a base for more prestigious dyes such as Tyrian purple.
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