Red wasn't "invented" in the same way that a technology or a process is. Red is a color that exists in nature and is perceived by the human eye. What was developed was the use of red pigments for artistic or practical purposes. Evidence suggests that humans were using red pigments as early as between 170,000 and 40,000 years ago.
Early Use of Red Ochre
Archeological discoveries at Pinnacle Point in South Africa indicate that Late Stone Age people were scraping and grinding ochre, a clay naturally colored red by iron oxide. This suggests the intentional use of red pigment for coloring, likely for symbolic or artistic reasons. While the exact purposes are still debated, this early use highlights the significance of red to early humans.
Implications of Early Red Pigment Use
- Symbolic Communication: The use of red ochre could have represented blood, life, or power, and served as a form of early symbolic communication.
- Artistic Expression: Red pigments were likely used for body painting, cave paintings, or decorating objects, showcasing early forms of artistic expression.
- Technological Advancement: The process of grinding and preparing ochre demonstrates a level of technological skill and knowledge of materials.
Therefore, while red as a color has always existed, its deliberate use and manipulation by humans dates back at least tens of thousands of years, with evidence pointing to intentional use between 170,000 and 40,000 years ago.
