Systematic Pigment Use in the Middle Pleistocene of South‐Central Africa

Barham, Lawrence

doi:10.1086/338292

Cited by 222 publications

(118 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Site GnJh-15 in the Kapthurin Formation, Baringo, Kenya (41) yielded hematite fragments too friable to preserve traces of grinding, ranging from pulverized granular material weighing <3 g to large chunks weighing >250 g. The early MSA site Twin Rivers, thought to date to 200-300 ka, produced pieces of ochre as well (42). The Maastricht-Belvédère material dates to the same time range as these early cases of ochre use in the African MSA, produced by ancestors of modern humans.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of red ochre by early Neandertals

Roebroeks

Sier

Nielsen

et al. 2012

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

238

118

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The use of manganese and iron oxides by late Neandertals is well documented in Europe, especially for the period 60–40 kya. Such finds often have been interpreted as pigments even though their exact function is largely unknown. Here we report significantly older iron oxide finds that constitute the earliest documented use of red ochre by Neandertals. These finds were small concentrates of red material retrieved during excavations at Maastricht-Belvédère, The Netherlands. The excavations exposed a series of well-preserved flint artifact (and occasionally bone) scatters, formed in a river valley setting during a late Middle Pleistocene full interglacial period. Samples of the reddish material were submitted to various forms of analyses to study their physical properties. All analyses identified the red material as hematite. This is a nonlocal material that was imported to the site, possibly over dozens of kilometers. Identification of the Maastricht-Belvédère finds as hematite pushes the use of red ochre by (early) Neandertals back in time significantly, to minimally 200–250 kya (i.e., to the same time range as the early ochre use in the African record).

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of red ochre by early Neandertals

Roebroeks

Sier

Nielsen

et al. 2012

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

238

118

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“…Obviously, when replicating a 'sham menstruation,' as noted for the Female Cosmetic Coalitions model, the color range would be restricted. However, the role of color and a particular preference for hues of red has been noted in numerous studies (e.g., Barham 2002Barham , 2005Eriksen 2006;Hovers et al 2003;Marshack 1981;McBrearty 2003;McBrearty and Stringer 2007;Morris 2005;Van Peer et al 2004). Pigment plays a central role in virtually all of these studies.…”

Section: Theory Of Ritualized Behaviormentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ochre has figured prominently in the recent debate on symbolism and ritual in the MSA (e.g., Barham 2002;Henshilwood et al 2009;Henshilwood et al 2001;Hovers et al 2003;Knight 2009Knight , 2010Knight et al 1995;Mackay and Welz 2008;Marean et al 2007;Marean et al 2004;Mayer et al 2009;McBrearty and Stringer 2007;Watts 1999Watts , 2002Watts , 2009). Contrary views, arguing for more utilitarian uses of this mineral, also have received considerable attention (e.g., Barton 2005;Lombard 2005Lombard , 2006cLombard , 2007Mithen 1999;Wadley 2001Wadley , 2005Wadley , 2006aWadley , 2010.…”

Section: Pigments and Grindingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Untitled

2011

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Rhino Cave, located at the World Heritage site of Tsodilo Hills, is one of the three main Middle Stone Age (MSA) sites in Botswana. Initial investigations during the mid-1990s left unanswered a number of key questions regarding the early use of the cave. This prompted the current investigations, which have unearthed a wealth of MSA artifacts from a lag deposit. Results of a selectively employed chaîne opératoire analysis have revealed a very special set of behavioral patterns. It will be argued that the best-fit interpretation of the results from this investigation lies within the realm of ritualized behavior. The assemblage is characterized by an unexpectedly large number of MSA points, which are for the most part produced in non-locally acquired raw materials. These points are colorful, carefully and often elaborately made, and, once complete, never left the cave. They were either deliberately burned to the point where they could no longer be used, abandoned, or intentionally smashed. These artifacts were found together with tabular grinding slabs and pieces of the locally available pigment, specularite. This assemblage was recovered directly beneath a massive, virtually free-standing rock face that has been carved with hundreds of cupules of varying sizes and shapes. A section of the carved rock face was recovered from well within the MSA deposits in association with handheld grinding stones. INTRODUCTIONI t has been proposed that "collective ritual -with its formal characteristic of amplified, stereotypical, redundant display -might be expected to leave a loud archaeological signature" (Watts 2009: 62). According to a number of researchers (e.g., Knight 2009;Knight 2010;Power 1999Power , 2009Power and Aiello 1997;Watts 1999Watts , 2002Watts , 2009) the archaeological record of ochre use, dating from the late Middle Pleistocene, provides such a signature. Symbolism, a crucial feature of ritual behavior, has been central to the debate on behavioral modernity. . However, one area of investigation that could potentially reveal patterns of ritual behavior has received minimal attention within African MSA studies. This is the application of the chaîne opératoire. Results from this method identify sequences of conscious choices made by the original artifact makers. The combined results of these individual sequences can provide insight into behavior patterns which are indicative of broader culturally determined traits and norms. By applying this methodological approach to a site that contains unusual or atypical MSA features, it can identify other 'loud archaeological signatures'.As noted by McBrearty (2003: 514) "one of the most difficult tasks for the prehistorian is to identify the emergence of novel behaviors." The authors suggest that a set of novel behavioral patterns is a most apt description for the results that have emerged from a recent test excavation at Rhino Cave, located within the World Heritage site of Tsodilo Hills, Botswana. This site was initially excavated in the mid-1990s (Robbins et al...

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“…Since some Upper Palaeolithic statuettes representing females have bodies or parts of them painted red, we can assume that such behaviour started at least at that time. Considering the early presence of pigment in the archaeological record (Barham 2002), this practice could have been present even earlier. At first, the painting of the body was perhaps a form of visual display, the purpose of which was, similarly to animal display, to intimidate rivals and attract partners for reproduction (Kuhn, Stiner 2007.42).…”

Section: Neanderthalsmentioning

confidence: 99%