Although brown and earthy tones were more readily available, evidence indicates that humans had a clear preference for vibrant red ocher. A study led by Rimtautas Dapschauskas found evidence that ...

Archaeologists are learning how we evolved our cognitive abilities with the help of ochre, an ancient pigment used for everything from body paint to sunscreen. Smeared on shells, piled in graves, ...

Learn about the crayon-like tools made by Neanderthals during the Middle Paleolithic and how these objects likely prove the existence of a complex Neanderthal culture. Humans have used color to ...

Eswatini in southern Africa is home to the world’s oldest ochre mine. A new study dates that mine to a full 48,000 years ago. Ochre is a clay-based pigment that was incredibly popular at that time, ...

Apparently one of the earliest human instincts was to paint things, including bodies and cave walls. That's the conclusion from scientists who have discovered something remarkable in a South African ...

Recent archaeological excavations in Crimea have unearthed a fascinating aspect of Neanderthal culture: the crafting and use of ochre crayons dating back approximately 130,000 years. This discovery ...