JOURNAL ARTICLE

Paleolithic painters had the blues.

  • Published In: Sciencemag.org, 2025. P. N.PAG 1 of 3

  • Database: Applied Science & Technology Source Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Curry, Andrew 3 of 3

Abstract

The article discusses recent studies that provide evidence of the early use of blue pigment by prehistoric artists, challenging the long-held belief that blue was absent from ancient art. Researchers discovered traces of azurite, a blue mineral, on a stone at a 13,000-year-old campsite in Germany, suggesting that these hunter-gatherers may have used it as a pigment. Additionally, another study found blue plant fibers from the indigo plant on 33,000-year-old grinding stones in Georgia, indicating that ancient people were engaged in processing materials for blue dye. The findings imply that while blue pigments were known, their use in cave art may have been limited or culturally selective. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:Sciencemag.org. 2025/09, pN.PAG
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Visual Arts
  • Publication Date:2025
  • Accession Number:188347955
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