Sibudu Cave paint milk binder
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An article on archaeology.org - Paleolithic Milk-Based Paint Discovered - reports on the prehistoric paint mixture discovered in the Sibudu Cave of South Africa.
Image: Paola Villa
Researchers studying residue on a stone tool found in South Africa's Sibudu Cave have discovered a powdered paint mixture made of milk and ochre that dates to 49,000 years ago. While ochre was being used in what is now South Africa as early as early as 125,000 years ago to produce paint powder, this is the first time milk proteins have been identified in an ochre-based paint.
Image: Manuel Will
The milk likely came from a bovid such as a buffalo or impala, and the paint might have been used for body decoration or to adorn a stone or wooden object.
"Although the use of the paint still remains uncertain, this surprising find establishes the use of milk with ochre well before the introduction of domestic cattle in South Africa," University of Colorado Museum of Natural History curator Paola Villa said in a press release.
"Obtaining milk from a lactating wild bovid also suggests that the people may have attributed a special significance and value to that product."
Read more about the prehistoric artistic traditions in the South Africa Rock Art Archive:
http://www.bradshawfoundation.com/south_africa/index.php
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