A new Cambrian black pigment used during the late Middle Palaeolithic discovered at Scladina Cave (Andenne, Belgium)

Sedimentary Unit 1A at Scladina Cave, Belgium has yielded archaeological material from a Middle Palaeolithic occupation dating to between 40,210 + 400/−350 BP and 37,300 + 370/−320 BP. Fifty-one fragments of a black, friable rock with a black streak were found in association with 194 burned bone fra...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Journal of archaeological science 2015-03, Vol.55, p.253-265
Main Authors:	Bonjean, Dominique, Vanbrabant, Yves, Abrams, Grégory, Pirson, Stéphane, Burlet, Christian, Di Modica, Kévin, Otte, Marcel, Vander Auwera, Jacqueline, Golitko, Mark, McMillan, Rhy, Goemaere, Eric
Format:	Article
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Archaeology Archéologie Arts & humanities Arts & sciences humaines Belgium Black pigment Graphite Middle Palaeolithic Raman microspectroscopy Scladina Cave
Online Access:	Get full text
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Summary:	Sedimentary Unit 1A at Scladina Cave, Belgium has yielded archaeological material from a Middle Palaeolithic occupation dating to between 40,210 + 400/−350 BP and 37,300 + 370/−320 BP. Fifty-one fragments of a black, friable rock with a black streak were found in association with 194 burned bone fragments and several thousand lithic artefacts. This black material is interpreted as a pigment brought to the site by Neandertals. The pigment was analysed by petrography, XRD, Raman microspectroscopy, and other geochemical methods. It was identified as a highly siliceous graphitic siltstone. This is a very unique discovery, as European archaeological research has so far only recorded black pigments comprised of manganese oxides from the Middle Palaeolithic. Raman microspectroscopy is a non-destructive method able to distinguish the attributes of black siliceous materials that originate from different tectono-sedimentary contexts. By measuring the degree of alteration of the carbonaceous material, this method allowed for the determination of its geographical and geological origins: a Cambrian formation of very limited extent located near Ottignies, about 40 kilometres north-west of Scladina Cave. The absence of a drainage network connecting the two locations eliminates the possibility of natural transport, and supports its anthropogenic origin. [Display omitted] •Black pigment in association with a Middle Palaeolithic occupation (Scladina Cave).•Material is demonstrated as a brought to the site by Neandertals.•Raman microspectroscopy: the best non-destructive tool for provenance determination.•Franquenies Member (Cambrian) has a very limited extent located 40 km NW of Scladina.•Anthropogenic origin: no drainage network connecting Scladina and Franquenies.
ISSN:	0305-4403 1095-9238 1095-9238