Plant-based red colouration of shell beads 15,000 years ago in Kebara Cave, Mount Carmel (Israel)

A groundbreaking discovery at Kebara Cave, Mount Carmel, Israel, reveals the earliest known use of organic plant-based red pigments, dating back 15,000 years. Researchers identified Rubiaceae plant roots (Rubia spp., Asperula spp., Gallium spp.) as the source of coloration on shell beads from the Early Natufian period, predating previous evidence by nearly 9,000 years. This finding challenges assumptions about pigment use in early human societies and highlights a sophisticated tradition of plant processing among sedentary hunter-gatherers. The study employed SEM-EDS and Raman Spectroscopy to analyze the beads, providing unprecedented insights into Natufian ornamental practices and material culture during a pivotal transition in human history.

Davin, L., Bellot-Gurlet, L., & Navas, J. (2023). Plant-based red colouration of shell beads 15,000 years ago in Kebara Cave, Mount Carmel (Israel). Plos One, 18(10), e0292264. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0292264