Archaeologica.org

Fossil evidence of Homo sapiens has been found at several sites across Africa, including two 195000-year-old skulls in Ethiopia. But a Mossel Bay site has thrown up the oldest known evidence of “modern” human behaviour — evidenced by complex tools and dyes used for rock art. This evidence is 164000 years old — by far the oldest known signs of the kind of collective behaviour considered the hallmark of “modern man”.

Marean said: “Those other areas (in Africa) don’t have the same evidence for behavioural complexity that we see here.

Ochres are viewed as important indicators of advanced behaviour - the use of colour for symbolism. And although the powders can have a functional use, as an ingredient in glue, the persistent choice of the brightest hues suggests some abstract activity is being undertaken, such as body painting.

Being able to conceptualise - the ability to let one thing represent another - was a giant leap in human evolution. It was the mental activity that would eventually permit the development of sophisticated language and maths.

To unearth worked ochres at Pinnacle Point at this time, near the base of the time period when modern humans (Homo sapiens) are thought to have first evolved in Africa about 200,000 years ago, is in itself a remarkable finding.

"There is some potential ochre use earlier than this but Pinnacle Point is much the best context. There is a lot of red ochre and the colour is very striking," commented Professor Chris Stringer, of London's Natural History Museum, who was not connected with the research team.

"Even if some of it might be having a functional purpose, with that amount and the fact they are selecting this particular colour must have symbolic significance, we think."

ASU palaeoanthropologist Professor Curtis Marean said: "We also found what archaeologists call 'bladelets' - little blades less than 10mm in width, about the size of your little finger.

"These could be attached to the end of a stick to form a point for a spear, or lined up like barbs on a dart - which shows they were already using complex compound tools."

Being able to conceptualise - the ability to let one thing represent another - was a giant leap in human evolution.

Ochres are viewed as important indicators of advanced behaviour - the use of colour for symbolism. And although the powders can have a functional use, as an ingredient in glue, the persistent choice of the brightest hues suggests some abstract activity is being undertaken, such as body painting.

But a Mossel Bay site has thrown up the oldest known evidence of “modern” human behaviour — evidenced by complex tools and dyes used for rock art. This evidence is 164000 years old — by far the oldest known signs of the kind of collective behaviour considered the hallmark of “modern man”.

kbs2244 wrote:“Collective behavior”
If you put 2 guys together for more than a day there is going to is some maneuvering to see who is “on top?”
I assume the same for gals.
Now, throw out gender bias and how many do you need for “collective behavior.”

kbs2244 wrote: I assume the same for gals.
”