Recent research by archaeologists and chemists from Lomonosov Moscow State University has uncovered that ancient humans at the Sunghir site, dating back 32,000 to 35,000 years, utilized red ochre to dye ceremonial and ritual garments. The findings were reported by the university's press service.
The Sunghir site, located near modern-day Vladimir, Russia, was discovered in 1955 and has since yielded significant archaeological materials that prompted this new interdisciplinary study.
Researchers focused on the colorful pigments used in the creation of clothing and burial materials. They found that the hunter-gatherers of that era prepared paste-like mixtures of varying thicknesses, which were employed to dye clothing items, including suits found in graves. Notably, men and boys interred at Sunghir were dressed in garments heavily saturated with red ochre, applied in a manner that accentuated decorative elements.
Red ochre, prevalent in Paleolithic rituals, was also used for rubbing figurines and dusting the bodies of the deceased. Scholars suggest that ancient artisans recognized the properties of ochre when combined with ash and charred bone remnants, creating durable dyes effective for coloring skins and fabrics.
This study reveals that the tradition of dyeing garments was not exclusive to the Sunghir site; similar practices have been documented in other regions of Europe, such as Moravia. According to Vladislav Zhitenev, an associate professor at the university’s archaeology department, this indicates cultural connections among various Upper Paleolithic groups. These conclusions enhance our understanding of the lives and traditions of prehistoric peoples leading up to the last Ice Age.