For the first time, researchers have found evidence that people were using red ochre in West Africa during the Middle Stone Age. Dated to between 30,000 and 40,000 years ago, the rust-colored ...

One of the ancient chunks of red ochre— a type of reddish-brown clay used by prehistoric people around the world—is pebble-shaped.

Evidence found elsewhere suggests a number of possibilities, however, including a ready-made paint, sunscreen, medicine, insect repellent (ochre contains arsenic), tanning hides, among other uses.

A coating of bright red powder on the insides of a pair of 100,000-year-old abalone shells is evidence of the oldest known art workshop, a new study says. The powder was found inside two shells in ...

MacDonald said ochre — a mix of iron oxide, clay and other minerals — is most often associated with ancient cave and rock paintings.