milk paint

[Charlie Knighton]

Paleolithic Milk-Based Paint Discovered

SIBUDU CAVE, SOUTH AFRICA—Researchers studying residue on a stone tool found in South Africa's Sibudu Cave have discovered a powdered paint mixture made of milk and ochre that dates to 49,000 years ago. While ochre was being used in what is now South Africa as early as early as 125,000 years ago to produce paint powder, this is the first time milk proteins have been identified in an ochre-based paint. The milk likely came from a bovid such as a buffalo or impala, and the paint might have been used for body decoration or to adorn a stone or wooden object. "Although the use of the paint still remains uncertain, this surprising find establishes the use of milk with ochre well before the introduction of domestic cattle in South Africa," University of Colorado Museum of Natural History curator Paola Villa said in a press release. "Obtaining milk from a lactating wild bovid also suggests that the people may have attributed a special significance and value to that product."

 

[John Torchick]

Stone tool with milk paint? Interesting thread.

 

[hockenbery]

Quite interesting.




Now when did they learn to buff it back?

 

[Charlie Knighton]

this is the first time milk proteins have been identified in an ochre-based paint

we are from the animal kingdom

"Obtaining milk from a lactating wild bovid also suggests that the people may have attributed a special significance and value to that product.

"

seems instead of obtaining milk from wild bovid, it would be easier to obtain milk from a member of family/tribe

paint might have been used for body decoration

the use could have been an accidently/eureka moment

further study on subject required......maybe Thursday night at symposium ??????????????? "Atlanta underground"

 

[hockenbery]

we are from the animal kingdom " seems instead of obtaining milk from wild bovid, it would be easier to obtain milk from a member of family/tribe the use could have been an accidently/eureka moment further study on subject required......maybe Thursday night at symposium ??????????????? "Atlanta underground"

A possible source of the milk is prey animals.

I have seen a wild cow milking event in a ranch rodeo -
A team of cowboys rope, restrain, and milk a few drops from a decidedly uncooperative cow - not enough for milk paint.

This would be an exciting Thursday night event for sure.....

 

[Owen Lowe]

seems instead of obtaining milk from wild bovid

Maybe this is first evidence of earlier domestication than thought...

 

[Charlie Knighton]

Maybe this is first evidence of earlier domestication than thought...

could be....the tools and lack of permanent sites point to hunter gatherers.........then how about the reindeer herds....ie drinking the reindeers blood.....still done today

 

[Mark Hepburn]

A possible source of the milk is prey animals.

I have seen a wild cow milking event in a ranch rodeo -
A team of cowboys rope, restrain, and milk a few drops from a decidedly uncooperative cow - not enough for milk paint.

This would be an exciting Thursday night event for sure.....

Hotlanta. Party til the cows come home!