Exploring the Early Origins of Art

South Africa has some of the earliest evidence of human cultural expression, such as marine shell beads, engraved ostrich eggshell, engraved ochre pieces and habitual ochre use. Clear evidence of cultural expression and complex technical innovation is apparent after around 100 000 years ago. 

Iron-rich earth or mineral pigments, such as shale, hematite or specularite, were collected and processed by early modern humans hundreds of thousands of years ago. 

This engraved ochre piece might be one of the earliest known examples of abstract art. It is dated to 77 000 years ago. It was discovered at Blombos Cave, southern Cape, South Africa.

Engraved ochre pieces, similar to this, have since been found at MSA sites across South Africa

Ochre-stained perlemoen shells were found in 100 000-year-old layers at Blombos Cave, South Africa. Red ochre had been ground to a powder and then mixed with seal fat, charcoal, and other ingredients, and stored in these containers. 

These red, iron-rich powders are still widely used around the world today. They mixed were with fat or water to create a bright red paste to colour objects, as a ritual body paint, as jewellers rouge, and even as skin protection from the sun and insects. 

Ochre has anti-bacterial properties and can be used to tan hides. Its antiseptic qualities mean it is also used as both an internal and external medicine - from treating burns to easing stomach cramps.

Archaeological evidence shows it was added to glues to haft stone tools.

San rock art pigments were made with various ingredients such as ochre, gypsum or charcoal mixed with animal blood, egg or resin as a binder and make it more potent. 
Most dated rock art dates to within the last 6000 years, with many dating between 3000 and 1500 years old. 

The Origins Centre ochre workshops are planned as fun, interactive ‘experiments’ while one can learn about the many uses of ochre - in the past and now.  Attendees get to smash, crush, grind or scrape the ochre pieces to produce colourful powder.  Once the powder is produced, we explore various ingredients and ways of making paints.

A selection of ingredients and binders are provided to mix with the ochre powder, including water, egg, coconut oil, salt and sugar.

The artworks, inspired by Africa's rock art and ancient histories, can be painted by brush, finger or sticks.

The workshops bring people together and provide a sense of community and connectedness - of a shared human history. 

We aim to teach and inspire through the interactive experience of creating paint and art.

How do we mark our place in history? Our understanding of history is ever-changing - as much our futures are.
Using these ancient earth pigments connects us to the earth, to our past and to each other, as humans.

The ochre workshops at Origins Centre offer the opportunity to experiment and create with different pigments, binders and techniques. We encourage messy hands, lots of colour, and happy hearts - inspired by Africa's rich past and bright future.