An international research team has uncovered evidence of the use of animal protein by humans in South Africa dating back approximately 60,000 years. This discovery is believed to enhance understanding of how early humans utilized natural materials. The findings were reported in a study conducted by researchers at Kyushu University.
The team analyzed samples from ochre-rich sedimentary rocks at the Klipdrift archaeological complex located in the De Hoop Nature Reserve. By applying the paleoproteomics technique, which allows for the study of ancient proteins, they determined that the collagen present belonged to a common eland, a large African antelope.
Insights into Ancient Human Practices
Researchers suggest that the ancient inhabitants of the region may have intentionally combined animal-based materials with ground ochre, a mineral pigment known to have been used since the Stone Age. This combination could point to various uses, including rituals or applications in everyday life.
Another possibility considered by the scientists is that the ochre was used to process antelope hides, and the residue found was a byproduct of that activity. Although the exact purpose of the mixture remains undetermined, the discovery indicates that early humans were integrating both animal-derived and mineral materials in their practices.
The official results of this study were published in the *Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences*, contributing valuable knowledge to the understanding of ancient human behavior and material use.
