Ancient ochre crayons from Crimea reveal Neanderthals engaged in symbolic behaviors
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Ochre is an iron-rich mineral pigment that was used by many ancient civilizations for color, decoration and practical tasks such as preserving animal hides and tanning clothing. Recent analysis of fragments of ochre at several Neanderthal sites is adding something new to the picture: that Neanderthals used ochre for symbolic purposes like drawing and marking […]