A review and reflection of coloration studies on Paleolithic personal ornaments

doi:10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2025.0061

Abstract

Abstract:

During human cognitive evolution, the emergence of symbolic thinking facilitated the birth of early human artistic creation and decorative practices. Archaeological evidence indicates that early humans possessed both the capacity to identify and collect decorative materials and the technical expertise to modify their appearance. The application of ochre pigments and heat treatment technologies represents a particularly significant development in this process. From the Middle to Late Paleolithic periods, humans employed ochre pigments and heat treatment to color early personal ornaments, deliberately changing their appearance to enhance visual impact and enrich symbolic meaning. The employment of ochre, heat treatment, and the advent of personal ornaments are regarded as hallmarks of behavioral modernity, garnering significant attention from Paleolithic archaeologists.

Archaeological evidence from Paleolithic sites demonstrates that ancient humans had already mastered ochre’s properties, applying it to personal ornament coloration following grinding and processing. Heat treatment technology reflects their capacity to manipulate temperature for modifying the color and texture of personal ornaments, thereby expanding the expression of these objects. However, the intentionality behind the color changes in these personal ornaments remains to be substantiated through detailed scientific analysis. Recent research has yielded important discoveries in this field, providing methodological frameworks and empirical evidence.

This study reviews current research on ochre pigments and heat treatment technologies applied in Paleolithic personal ornament coloration, both domestically and internationally, to comprehensively explore the technological innovations and cognitive development demonstrated in personal ornament production. This investigation aims to characterize behavioral modernity in Paleolithic populations and establish a comprehensive framework for personal ornament research. The analysis also approaches this phenomenon through the lens of the significance of color for early humans, examines the distinct behavioral patterns and cognitive levels reflected in different coloration behaviors, and attempts to briefly analyze the reasons for the temporal and spatial variations in personal ornament coloration practices documented in the archaeological record.

Future research can be conducted from multiple dimensions including archaeology, cognitive science, and sociocultural perspectives. It can not only reveal the complexity of Paleolithic personal ornament coloration techniques and interpret the social significance of symbolic behavior in early decorative traditions, but also contribute to understanding issues of social complexity characterized by specialized craft production. Advancements in research methods will continue to expand opportunities for retrieving information on personal ornament production techniques and color utilization, offering enhanced perspectives for in-depth analysis of early human complex behaviors.

Key words: Ochre pigment, heat treatment, Paleolithic, personal ornament

CLC Number:

K871

WEI Yi. A review and reflection of coloration studies on Paleolithic personal ornaments[J]. Acta Anthropologica Sinica, 2026, 45(04): 801-814.

Figures/Tables 4

References 115

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遗址 Site	地区 Area	文化时期 Period	年代 Age	类型 Type	赭石染色标本 Ochre-dyed sample	热处理标本 Heat-treated sample
Blombos	南非	Still Bay	76~71 ka	穿孔贝壳串珠	Nassarius kraussianus	Nassarius kraussianus
Sibudu	南非	Still Bay; Howiesons Poort; MSA晚期	70.5±2 ka; 64.7±1.9 ka; 46.6±2.3 ka	穿孔贝壳串珠	Nassarius kraussianus; Afrolittorina africana; Mancinella capensis	Nassarius kraussianus; Afrolittorina africana; Mancinella capensis
Border Cave	南非	Howiesons Poort; LSA早期	80~67 ka; 44~42 kaBP	穿孔贝壳串珠；鸵鸟蛋皮串珠	Conus ebraeus	鸵鸟蛋皮串珠
Bizmoune	摩洛哥	Aterian	149 ka	穿孔贝壳串珠	Tritia gibbosula	无
Contrebandiers	摩洛哥	Aterian	115±3 ka	穿孔贝壳串珠	Tritia gibbosulus; Nassarius circumcinctus	Nassarius sp.
Ifri n’Ammar	摩洛哥	Aterian	83.3±5.6 ka	穿孔贝壳串珠	Tritia gibbosula	Tritia gibbosula
Taforalt (Grotte des Pigeons)	摩洛哥	Aterian	82.5 ka	穿孔贝壳串珠	Tritia gibbosula; Nassarius circumcinctus	Tritia gibbosula
Rhafas	摩洛哥	Aterian	85~76 ka	穿孔贝壳串珠	Tritia gibbosula; Columbella rustica	Tritia circumcinctus; Columbella rustica
Panga ya Saidi	肯尼亚	MSA; LSA	67~61.5 ka；48.5~14.5 ka	穿孔贝壳串珠；鸵鸟蛋皮串珠	Volvarina sp.;Conus sp.; 鸵鸟蛋皮串珠；圆形贝壳串珠	鸵鸟蛋皮串珠；圆形贝壳串珠
Qafzeh	以色列	Mousterian	120~113 kaBP	穿孔贝壳串珠	Glycymeris nummaria	无
Sefunim	以色列	UP; EPI	34~30 cal kaBP	穿孔贝壳串珠	Columbella rustica	无
Kebara	以色列	Ahmarian；Aurignacian	/	穿孔贝壳串珠	Euplica festiva	无
Manot Cave	以色列	Levantine Aurignacian	38~33 cal kaBP	穿孔兽牙坠饰	马鹿犬齿	无
Hayonim Cave	以色列	Levantine Aurignacian	/	穿孔兽牙坠饰	马鹿犬齿	马鹿犬齿

遗址 Site	地区 Area	文化时期 Period	年代 Age	类型 Type	赭石染色标本 Ochre-dyed sample	热处理标本 Heat-treated sample
Blombos	南非	Still Bay	76~71 ka	穿孔贝壳串珠	Nassarius kraussianus	Nassarius kraussianus
Sibudu	南非	Still Bay; Howiesons Poort; MSA晚期	70.5±2 ka; 64.7±1.9 ka; 46.6±2.3 ka	穿孔贝壳串珠	Nassarius kraussianus; Afrolittorina africana; Mancinella capensis	Nassarius kraussianus; Afrolittorina africana; Mancinella capensis
Border Cave	南非	Howiesons Poort; LSA早期	80~67 ka; 44~42 kaBP	穿孔贝壳串珠；鸵鸟蛋皮串珠	Conus ebraeus	鸵鸟蛋皮串珠
Bizmoune	摩洛哥	Aterian	149 ka	穿孔贝壳串珠	Tritia gibbosula	无
Contrebandiers	摩洛哥	Aterian	115±3 ka	穿孔贝壳串珠	Tritia gibbosulus; Nassarius circumcinctus	Nassarius sp.
Ifri n’Ammar	摩洛哥	Aterian	83.3±5.6 ka	穿孔贝壳串珠	Tritia gibbosula	Tritia gibbosula
Taforalt (Grotte des Pigeons)	摩洛哥	Aterian	82.5 ka	穿孔贝壳串珠	Tritia gibbosula; Nassarius circumcinctus	Tritia gibbosula
Rhafas	摩洛哥	Aterian	85~76 ka	穿孔贝壳串珠	Tritia gibbosula; Columbella rustica	Tritia circumcinctus; Columbella rustica
Panga ya Saidi	肯尼亚	MSA; LSA	67~61.5 ka；48.5~14.5 ka	穿孔贝壳串珠；鸵鸟蛋皮串珠	Volvarina sp.;Conus sp.; 鸵鸟蛋皮串珠；圆形贝壳串珠	鸵鸟蛋皮串珠；圆形贝壳串珠
Qafzeh	以色列	Mousterian	120~113 kaBP	穿孔贝壳串珠	Glycymeris nummaria	无
Sefunim	以色列	UP; EPI	34~30 cal kaBP	穿孔贝壳串珠	Columbella rustica	无
Kebara	以色列	Ahmarian；Aurignacian	/	穿孔贝壳串珠	Euplica festiva	无
Manot Cave	以色列	Levantine Aurignacian	38~33 cal kaBP	穿孔兽牙坠饰	马鹿犬齿	无
Hayonim Cave	以色列	Levantine Aurignacian	/	穿孔兽牙坠饰	马鹿犬齿	马鹿犬齿