The symbolic and functional exploitation of ochre during the South African Middle Stone Age

[摘要] Ochre is a ubiquitous artefact in Middle Stone Age (MSA) contexts throughout Africa and theNear East. Archaeological evidence for the abrasive processing of ochre to extract pigmentpowder becomes increasingly prevalent after 100 ka. The habitual exploitation of ochre isinterpreted as evidence for symbolism, a proxy for the origin of language and as a keyelement of 'symbolic’ and 'modern’ human behaviour. Evolutionary explanations agree thatochre and the products of its processing played a significant role in the adaptive strategies ofearly modern humans, but they differ in the functions assigned to it. I therefore ask thefollowing question: What role did symbolic and functional applications of ochre play in theenhancement of prehistoric technology, and how may these have functioned to promote andmaintain social relations within MSA Homo sapiens societies?With the aim of answering this question, I follow a chaîne opératoire approach to elucidatethe exploitation of ochre during the MSA. First, I present the results of an experimental studydevised to infer the methods employed to process ochre. It is demonstrated that functionaldata derived from actualistic experiments can enhance our understanding prehistoricbehaviour. Second, I describe one of the oldest instances of a deliberate engraving on ochreat 100 ka to 85 ka. I consider the possibility that specific types of raw material were selectedfor engraving purposes and expand on whether all engraved depictions inevitably functionedin 'symbolic’ contexts. The third objective entails the evaluation of an often cited functionalhypothesis for ochre, namely the use of red ochre as a 'hide-tanning’ ingredient.I also introduce and discuss three further functional hypotheses, namely those concerningthe use of ochre as a form of mineral supplementation and detoxification agent, as a sunprotectionelement and as an insect repellent. Ethnoarchaeological research has proven tobe informative in terms of revealing a range of functional uses for red ochre. I thereforeconsider how data derived from the Ovashimba of northern Namibia can enhance currentunderstandings of ochre use in the MSA. I propose that in order to assess any hypothesisconcerning the exploitation of ochre in the MSA methodically and in a scientific manner, it isnecessary to engage with the theories and analytical methods of cognitive and technicalsciences not normally viewed as applicable to archaeological enquiry.

[发布机构] University of the Witwatersrand