Proposal for the study of the ochre assemblage at Klipdrift Rock Shelter (KDS)

The goal of this project is to chemically and mineralogically analyze selected ochre and mineral pigment pieces from the Klipdrift Shelter site (KDS) located in the De Hoop Nature Reserve, southern Cape, South Africa. A recent re-investigation of the ochre and mineral pigment assemblage revealed some 597 individual pieces, some with anthropogenic modifications. Previous geological survey work on the southern cape of South Africa, both by the author and by other researchers (1-3) revealed several numerous potential ochre outcrops that were likely accessed by ancient populations living along the coast of the Western Cape. The goal of this study is to augment this research by conducting a provenance-based analysis of several select ochre and pigment pieces from the KDS assemblage using state-of-the-art techniques to potentially compare the archaeological materials to their geological place of origin. The output of this research will allow for new interpretations regarding pigment collection strategies, responses to environmental and climatic changes, long-distance trade and regional movement, functional uses, social signalling and group cohesion, cognitive evolution, and symbolic mediation. Overall, this project will contribute to an ever-growing body of research on the role of the southern Cape in the emergence and evolution of modern human behaviours.