Oldest Red Ochre Mine System in Americas Discovered in Mexico, Revealed in MU Study
July 09, 2020
July 09, 2020
COLUMBIA, Missouri, July 9 -- The University of Missouri issued the following news release:
A team of underwater cave explorers in Mexico has discovered the oldest known system of red ochre mines in the Americas, shedding light on how humans lived as much as 12,000 years ago. The subterranean cave system, known as Sagitario, was once dry but is now completely submerged. It was mined by humans during the tail-end of the Pleistocene era for the highly valued mineral pigment.
A team of underwater cave explorers in Mexico has discovered the oldest known system of red ochre mines in the Americas, shedding light on how humans lived as much as 12,000 years ago. The subterranean cave system, known as Sagitario, was once dry but is now completely submerged. It was mined by humans during the tail-end of the Pleistocene era for the highly valued mineral pigment.