Ochre Fragment Found in African Cave Suggests it was Used for More Than Symbolic Rituals
A new study suggests that ochre's use was possibly more expansive than previously believed by experts. The study was based on the analysis of ochre fragments bearing wear patterns found from the Blombos Cave in South Africa, according to Archaeology Magazine. Initially, one of the fragments intrigued archaeologist Elizabeth Velliky due to the grinding marks visible on it. Therafter, her team found six similar fragments in the collection. Examinations revealed that it dated back to the Middle Stone Age (MSA), between 90,000 and 70,000 years ago. They concluded through their analysis that these fragments had been intentionally shaped and used for a purpose other than symbolic rituals. Findings regarding these fragments were published in the journal Science Advances.
Purpose of Ochre Fragments
The study claimed that the grinding marks on the fragments indicated they were used for pigment production. The way they are shaped further suggests they were possibly used to modify stone tools. Earlier experimental studies indicated that ochre was used for other purposes rather than only in symbolic functions, but it is only now that archaeological proof has arrived. The replication studies and experimental research conducted by the team implied that these "retouchers" were primarily involved in processes, like direct percussion and pressure flaking. Both of these processes are considered advanced methods of stone making and require a lot of mental power to facilitate. It sheds light on the intellectual strength of individuals using these tools.
Such techniques were supposedly used in the production of the Still Bay points, according to Phys.org. Still Bay Points are a collection of bifacial tools, which sport a symmetrical form and are regarded as one of the most sophisticated lithic (stone) artifacts from the Middle Stone Age in Africa. "We now know that ochre was a multi-use tool that played an essential role in the daily lives of early modern humans. I believe this discovery could change how we view ochre and the past, and deepen our understanding of early human behavior," Velliky added.
Identification of Personal Items
Further examinations showcased that the fragments were not random and had been carefully shaped to serve a particular purpose. The consistency and high level of maintenance detected in the features of the fragments further indicated that they could not be casual tools used by anybody; instead, they could be personal possessions of professionals, like skilled flint knappers. "They may have functioned not only as practical instruments but also as indicators of identity and technical prowess," Francesco d'Errico, a co-author, claimed.
Breaking Assumptions
In the past, experts believed that ochre was used for symbolic purposes, like a ritual. However, this discovery showcased that ochre had other uses. It was used both in the symbolic and tool production spheres by humans. The finding also sheds light on the advanced methodologies applied by early modern humans in Blombos Cave. The kind of technological sophistication implied by these tools was typically associated with populations of much later periods. "This discovery will add another layer to our understanding of the behavioral modernity of early Homo sapiens in southern Africa," said Karen van Niekerk, SapienCE Deputy Director and director of Blombos Cave excavations in recent years.