Evidence for symbolic use of ochre by MicoquianNeanderthals in Crimea

Ochre use is widely regarded as a potential marker of symbolic behavior in Paleolithic societies. We conducted amultiproxy analysis of 16 ochre pieces from Middle Paleolithic Micoquian sites in Crimea [Zaskalnaya V (ZSKV),ZSKVI, and Prolom II] and mainland Ukraine (Mukhovets), spanning up to 70,000...

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Autores: D'Errico, Francesco, Mauran, Guilhem, Pitarch Martí, África, Majkic, Ana, Stepanchuk, Vadim
Formato: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2025
País:España
Recursos:Varias* (Consorci de Biblioteques Universitáries de Catalunya, Centre de Serveis Científics i Acadèmics de Catalunya)
Repositorio:Recercat. Dipósit de la Recerca de Catalunya
OAI Identifier:oai:recercat.cat:2445/226479
Acesso em linha:https://hdl.handle.net/2445/226479
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palavra-chave:Art prehistòric
Color en l'art
Simbolisme en l'art
Prehistoric art
Color in art
Symbolism in art
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spelling Evidence for symbolic use of ochre by MicoquianNeanderthals in CrimeaD'Errico, FrancescoMauran, GuilhemPitarch Martí, ÁfricaMajkic, AnaStepanchuk, VadimArt prehistòricColor en l'artSimbolisme en l'artPrehistoric artColor in artSymbolism in artOchre use is widely regarded as a potential marker of symbolic behavior in Paleolithic societies. We conducted amultiproxy analysis of 16 ochre pieces from Middle Paleolithic Micoquian sites in Crimea [Zaskalnaya V (ZSKV),ZSKVI, and Prolom II] and mainland Ukraine (Mukhovets), spanning up to 70,000 years. Using portable x-rayfluorescence, scanning electron microscopy coupled to energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and technological analysis,we identified deliberate modifications including grinding, scoring, flaking, and scraping. Three pieces (ZSKV-05,ZSKV-06, and ZSKV-07) show features exceeding utilitarian use: One is shaped into a crayon-liketool with repeated resharpening, another appears to be a crayon fragment, and a third bears engraved, polished surfaces. Thesetraits suggest the intentional production of marks and curated use. While practical applications (e.g., hide processing)remain plausible for other specimens, the evidence supports symbolic use among some Crimean Neanderthals.Our results highlight their cognitive complexity and underscore the importance of regional, multiproxyapproaches in evaluating the emergence of symbolic material culture.American Association for the Advancement of Science2026202620252026info:eu-repo/semantics/articleinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion18 p.application/pdfhttps://hdl.handle.net/2445/226479Articles publicats en revistes (Arts Conservació-Restauració)reponame:Recercat. Dipósit de la Recerca de Catalunyainstname:Varias* (Consorci de Biblioteques Universitáries de Catalunya, Centre de Serveis Científics i Acadèmics de Catalunya)InglésReproducció del document publicat a: https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adx47Science Advances, 2025, vol. 11, num.44, p. eadx4722https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adx47cc-by (c) d'Errico, F. et al., 2025http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessoai:recercat.cat:2445/2264792026-05-29T05:05:01Z
dc.title.none.fl_str_mv Evidence for symbolic use of ochre by MicoquianNeanderthals in Crimea
title Evidence for symbolic use of ochre by MicoquianNeanderthals in Crimea
spellingShingle Evidence for symbolic use of ochre by MicoquianNeanderthals in Crimea
D'Errico, Francesco
Art prehistòric
Color en l'art
Simbolisme en l'art
Prehistoric art
Color in art
Symbolism in art
title_short Evidence for symbolic use of ochre by MicoquianNeanderthals in Crimea
title_full Evidence for symbolic use of ochre by MicoquianNeanderthals in Crimea
title_fullStr Evidence for symbolic use of ochre by MicoquianNeanderthals in Crimea
title_full_unstemmed Evidence for symbolic use of ochre by MicoquianNeanderthals in Crimea
title_sort Evidence for symbolic use of ochre by MicoquianNeanderthals in Crimea
dc.creator.none.fl_str_mv D'Errico, Francesco
Mauran, Guilhem
Pitarch Martí, África
Majkic, Ana
Stepanchuk, Vadim
author D'Errico, Francesco
author_facet D'Errico, Francesco
Mauran, Guilhem
Pitarch Martí, África
Majkic, Ana
Stepanchuk, Vadim
author_role author
author2 Mauran, Guilhem
Pitarch Martí, África
Majkic, Ana
Stepanchuk, Vadim
author2_role author
author
author
author
dc.subject.none.fl_str_mv Art prehistòric
Color en l'art
Simbolisme en l'art
Prehistoric art
Color in art
Symbolism in art
topic Art prehistòric
Color en l'art
Simbolisme en l'art
Prehistoric art
Color in art
Symbolism in art
description Ochre use is widely regarded as a potential marker of symbolic behavior in Paleolithic societies. We conducted amultiproxy analysis of 16 ochre pieces from Middle Paleolithic Micoquian sites in Crimea [Zaskalnaya V (ZSKV),ZSKVI, and Prolom II] and mainland Ukraine (Mukhovets), spanning up to 70,000 years. Using portable x-rayfluorescence, scanning electron microscopy coupled to energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and technological analysis,we identified deliberate modifications including grinding, scoring, flaking, and scraping. Three pieces (ZSKV-05,ZSKV-06, and ZSKV-07) show features exceeding utilitarian use: One is shaped into a crayon-liketool with repeated resharpening, another appears to be a crayon fragment, and a third bears engraved, polished surfaces. Thesetraits suggest the intentional production of marks and curated use. While practical applications (e.g., hide processing)remain plausible for other specimens, the evidence supports symbolic use among some Crimean Neanderthals.Our results highlight their cognitive complexity and underscore the importance of regional, multiproxyapproaches in evaluating the emergence of symbolic material culture.
publishDate 2025
dc.date.none.fl_str_mv 2025
2026
2026
2026
dc.type.none.fl_str_mv info:eu-repo/semantics/article
info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
format article
status_str publishedVersion
dc.identifier.none.fl_str_mv https://hdl.handle.net/2445/226479
url https://hdl.handle.net/2445/226479
dc.language.none.fl_str_mv Inglés
language_invalid_str_mv Inglés
dc.relation.none.fl_str_mv Reproducció del document publicat a: https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adx47
Science Advances, 2025, vol. 11, num.44, p. eadx4722
https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adx47
dc.rights.none.fl_str_mv cc-by (c) d'Errico, F. et al., 2025
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
rights_invalid_str_mv cc-by (c) d'Errico, F. et al., 2025
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
eu_rights_str_mv openAccess
dc.format.none.fl_str_mv 18 p.
application/pdf
dc.publisher.none.fl_str_mv American Association for the Advancement of Science
publisher.none.fl_str_mv American Association for the Advancement of Science
dc.source.none.fl_str_mv Articles publicats en revistes (Arts Conservació-Restauració)
reponame:Recercat. Dipósit de la Recerca de Catalunya
instname:Varias* (Consorci de Biblioteques Universitáries de Catalunya, Centre de Serveis Científics i Acadèmics de Catalunya)
instname_str Varias* (Consorci de Biblioteques Universitáries de Catalunya, Centre de Serveis Científics i Acadèmics de Catalunya)
reponame_str Recercat. Dipósit de la Recerca de Catalunya
collection Recercat. Dipósit de la Recerca de Catalunya
repository.name.fl_str_mv
repository.mail.fl_str_mv
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score 15.812429

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