The Okinawa Prefectural Museum and Art Museum announced that it was found that the decorative shells of the Old Stone Age, which were excavated at the ruins in Okinawa Prefecture, were painted with red pigment.
According to the experts surveyed, it is the oldest colored ornament in Japan, and it is a discovery that reveals the rich society and culture of the Paleolithic era.
At the "Sakitari-dong Ruins" in Nanjo City, Okinawa Prefecture, shells processed like beads with a length of about 1 cm, which are thought to be decorative, were found in some of the Paleolithic strata about 23,000 years ago. Detailed analysis was carried out because there is a red part.
As a result, the red part is a red pigment containing iron, and according to the experts who investigated, it was found that the shell was painted red because it did not adhere naturally from the excavated situation.
And this shell is said to be the oldest colored ornament ever confirmed in the country.
At the Sakitari-dong Ruins, a mass of red pigment was found in the stratum about 23,500 years ago, which is 500 years older, and it was a mystery how these pigments were used.
Masayuki Dana, director of the Okinawa Prefectural Museum and Art Museum, said, "It is a great achievement that the purpose of using pigments has been shown. It is a discovery that shows that it has a society and culture. "