The Archaeology of Seeing by Janik Liliana;

Author:Janik, Liliana;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Group
Published: 2020-07-15T00:00:00+00:00

Figure 4.2 Nassarius kraussianus shell beads from Blombos Cave, arranged into different types of arrangements, one of which is shown here, between c. 70,000 and 110,000 years old (redrawn and amended by A. Szczęsny after: Vanhaeren et al. 2013).

Overall 1,534 pieces of ochre bigger than 10 mm were found on this site, the majority of which belong to occupational phase M3, dated to around 100,000 years ago. The ochre itself was probably obtained from rocks found between 3 to 5 km away (Henshilwood et al. 2009). Few of the fragments have traces of carving or modification, indicating the intentionality in altering just particular pieces. While artificial alterations could be linked to the use of ochre for activities such as tanning, or as medicine against insect bites, (Henshilwood et al. 2009: 29, Rifkin 2012), the symbolic use of ochre is interpreted on the basis of the deliberate signification of some pieces. In particular, piece M1-6 (Figure 4.3) (length 75.8 mm, width 34.8 mm, thickness 24.7 mm) lends itself to such an interpretation. It is dated to between around 70,000 and 80,000 years ago, the same as the shell beads. The engraving was made by creating a symmetrical pattern of cross-cuttings and overlapping lines arranged in a net pattern, a pattern is important in the way our brain conceptualises and recognises arrangements, as discussed in the previous chapter. We can see here a very early example of a neuroaesthetic category used in signifying this small piece of ochre as visually important and instantly recognisable.

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