title: A 100,000-year-old ochre-processing workshop at Blombos Cave, South Africa.
abstract: The conceptual ability to source, combine, and store substances that enhance technology or social practices represents a benchmark in the evolution of complex human cognition. Excavations in 2008 at Blombos Cave, South Africa, revealed a processing workshop where a liquefied ochre-rich mixture was produced and stored in two Haliotis midae (abalone) shells 100,000 years ago. Ochre, bone, charcoal, grindstones, and hammerstones form a composite part of this production toolkit. The application of the mixture is unknown, but possibilities include decoration and skin protection.
authors: Institute for Archaeology, History, Culture and Religion, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. christopher.henshilwood@ahkr.uib.no
authors: Christopher S
authors: CS
authors: Henshilwood
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: d'Errico
authors: Karen L
authors: KL
authors: van Niekerk
authors: Yvan
authors: Y
authors: Coquinot
authors: Zenobia
authors: Z
authors: Jacobs
authors: Stein-Erik
authors: SE
authors: Lauritzen
authors: Michel
authors: M
authors: Menu
authors: Renata
authors: R
authors: García-Moreno
mesh_terms: D005075:Biological Evolution; D003071:Cognition; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000266:history*; D019015:Geologic Sediments; D055593:Geological Phenomena; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D013019:South Africa
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents