| Title | A 100,000-Year-Old Ochre-Processing Workshop at Blombos Cave, South Africa |
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication | 2011 |
| Authors | Henshilwood, CS, d'Errico , F, van Niekerk, KL, Coquinot, Y, Jacobs, Z, Lauritzen, S-E, Menu, M, Garcia-Moreno, R |
| Journal | Science |
| Volume | 334 |
| Issue | 6053 |
| Pagination | 219 - 222 |
| Date Published | 10/2011 |
| ISSN | 0036-8075 |
| Keywords | art, Blombos, MSA, 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. |
| DOI | 10.1126/science.1211535 |
| Short Title | Science |
| Citation Key | Henshilwood:pigment:2011 |
A 100,000-Year-Old Ochre-Processing Workshop at Blombos Cave, South Africa
Neandertals
For years, I've worked on their bones. Now I'm working on their genes. Read more about the science studying these ancient people.
Denisova
From a finger bone of an ancient human came the record of a completely unexpected population. My lab is working on the science of the Denisova genome.
Acceleration
The advent of agriculture caused natural selection to speed up greatly in humans. We're uncovering some of the ways that populations have rapidly changed during the last 10,000 years.
Malapa
Just outside Johannesburg, the Malapa site is producing some of the most exciting finds in human evolution. This site is the headquarters of the Malapa Soft Tissue Project.