Evidence of Ancient Human Cognition | 13 Jul 2019

Recently, In China, archaeologists have found the earliest evidence of Ochre on bone engravings.

The discovery of abstract engravings is considered an indicator of modern human cognition which researchers say led to the development of symbols, drawings, art and language.
The bones discovered there had seven engraved lines with the presence of a red residue.
Population which inhabited the region might have used the bone as a medium on which they could permanently record sequential markings and used ochre as a way of highlighting them.

Human cognition refers to the capacity of making complex tools and producing different art forms such as painting, engraving and music.
Ochre is a natural clay earth pigment which is a mixture of ferric oxide and varying amounts of clay and sand. It ranges in colour from yellow to deep orange or brown