Researchers have identified traces of animal protein from the common eland, a sizeable antelope indigenous to southern Africa, within a 60,000-year-old layer of red ochre. This groundbreaking discovery was made at Klipdrift Shelter, a significant archaeological site located in the De Hoop Nature Reserve, by an international team of scientists from Kyushu University, the University of Bergen, and the University of Copenhagen. Their findings were published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.

Research Site Overview

The ochre layer at Klipdrift Shelter, part of the Howiesons Poort archaeological culture, features a flat surface approximately one meter long, 40 centimeters wide, and up to one centimeter thick, rich in ochre pigment. Archaeologists have long associated the use of ochre with modern human behaviors, noting its practical and symbolic applications across various cultures.

Methodology of the Study

To investigate the ochre’s composition, the research team employed a technique known as palaeoproteomics, which focuses on analyzing ancient proteins. The scientists extracted sediment samples from the ochre layer and processed them using mass spectrometry, a method that breaks proteins into smaller fragments and quantifies them. The resulting fragments were then compared to extensive protein databases to identify their origin.

Findings and Implications

Two sediment samples yielded a consistent match, identifying type I collagen originating from the common eland, scientifically known as Taurotragus oryx. This discovery suggests two potential scenarios: early humans may have intentionally mixed eland protein with ochre, or they might have treated eland hides with ochre at the site. The complex structure of the examined ochre layer supports the first theory.

This finding is particularly significant as direct evidence of organic materials combined with ochre is scarce in African archaeological contexts. Proteins, unlike DNA, tend to have better preservation properties in warmer climates, making them invaluable for understanding past human behaviors.

Symbolic Significance

The eland holds a prominent place in San mythology, further adding depth to this discovery. While this single example can’t definitively prove that the eland was symbolically significant during the Middle Stone Age, the researchers aim to extend their work to other sites of similar age to gather more evidence on this aspect.

Advancements in palaeoproteomic methodologies are broadening the scope of archaeological studies. By analyzing sediments and various materials, scientists hope to uncover the origins of protein residues and better understand the interactions between early humans and ochre deposits.