Ochre: The Ancient Toolbox of Middle Stone Age Humans

Ochre, a red or yellowish earth pigment, has been around for ages. People in the Middle Stone Age (MSA) used it for more than just art. They had some clever tricks up their sleeves.

Clever Uses of Ochre

• Tanning animal hides
• Making glue for tools
• Protecting their skin

But how do we know this? Well, some smart folks dug up seven ochre pieces from Blombos Cave in South Africa. These pieces are special. They were shaped on purpose and show signs of being used a lot.

Scientific Discoveries

How do we know these ochre pieces were used for tool-making?

• Scientists did some experiments.
• They found that these ochre pieces were used to sharpen stone tools.
• When the ochre pieces got dull, they were reshaped to keep working.

Why is this important?

• It shows that ochre was a big deal in the MSA.
• It wasn't just for painting. It was a key part of their technology.
• Maybe these ochre tools were special to the people who used them.
• Maybe they had personal or cultural meaning.

Final Thought

So next time you see a red rock, remember, it might have been someone's tool 70, 000 years ago. Isn't that amazing?