Cave paintings primarily used black, yellow ochre, red ochre, and white pigments derived from natural materials.
Here's a breakdown of the materials used:
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Black: Often sourced from charcoal, soot, or manganese oxide. Charcoal and soot were readily available from fire remains, while manganese oxide provided a deeper black.
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Yellow Ochre: Typically came from limonite, a hydrated iron oxide. This provided various shades of yellow and brown.
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Red Ochre: Obtained from haematite (iron oxide) or baked limonite. Heating limonite transformed it into a reddish hue.
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White: Created using kaolin clay, burnt shells, calcite, powdered gypsum, or powdered calcium carbonate. These materials provided a range of white shades and textures.
These pigments were often mixed with binders like water, animal fat, or plant juices to create a paint-like substance that could be applied to cave walls. Application methods likely included fingers, rudimentary brushes made from animal hair or plant fibers, or perhaps even blowing pigment through hollow bones.
