Red ocher, a natural earth pigment, has played a significant role in human history, dating back between 500,000 to 330,000 years ago. Archaeological evidence indicates that early Homo sapiens utilized this material extensively for body decoration, ritualistic practices, and possibly even technological innovations.
Rimtautas Dapschauskas, an expert at the University of Tübingen and the University of Heidelberg, states, "Ochre use is so old, at least as old as our species itself." His 2022 study identified ocher use at multiple sites across southern and eastern Africa, suggesting a cultural practice that became widespread around 160,000 years ago.
The pigment's durability and vibrant hue made it a preferred choice over other colors, with evidence indicating that ancient peoples traveled significant distances—over 100 kilometers—to obtain high-quality red ocher. Dapschauskas notes, "We see over many, many generations... people preferred blood red hues over brown, orange, white, or black manganese."
Interestingly, a site in Sibudu, South Africa, revealed that prehistoric people created a liquid from red ocher mixed with bovid milk, suggesting a ritualistic significance to the pigment. Dapschauskas raises the question of why such resources would be used in this manner during a time of scarcity.
As Homo sapiens migrated out of Africa approximately 60,000 to 70,000 years ago, they carried their affinity for ocher across Eurasia and Australasia. The use of red ocher continued in cave art, where it was employed for non-figurative and later figurative representations.
Research indicates that red evokes strong psychological responses, influencing social signaling and mate selection in both humans and primates. Dapschauskas suggests that the initial attraction to red pigment may stem from an ancient psychological effect linked to its signaling properties. "There's something really deep evolutionary going on," he concludes.