Natural dyes were widely used from Antiquity until the late 19^th century to color textiles, cosmetics, and food. This human ingenuity in harnessing natural resources for coloring highlights a true fusion of science and art, encouraging an interdisciplinary analysis of color practices and ancient dyeing techniques. Certainly, the Industrial Revolution and the discovery of synthetic dyes, characterized by greater stability and lower cost, marginalized natural dyes. Nevertheless, the recent awareness of environmental issues and the imperative search for sustainable substitutes for synthetic products have revived interest in the ancient natural dyes. Their biodegradability, non-toxicity, and renewable origin represent viable solutions to contemporary environmental challenges. From this perspective, the study of historical documents would allow for a better understanding of the chemical reactions involved in ancestral dyeing processes and would provide a solid starting point for reassessing the potential of these natural dyes nowadays. Indeed, both historical and chemical investigations are essential not only for rediscovering how colors were obtained by artisans of the past, but also for understanding the wide variety of chemical compounds responsible for the hues of these natural dyes.