New research reveals why ancient inhabitants of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula may have ventured deep into the underground labyrinths despite the danger: to mine red ochre. (CINDAQ.ORG)"This activity of mining, finding the ochre, extracting the ochre would have been a pretty big endeavour." A diver explores the ochre mine, which holds some of the best-preserved evidence of ancient peoples in the western hemisphere. MacDonald said ochre — a mix of iron oxide, clay and other minerals — is most often associated with ancient cave and rock paintings. The researchers don't know how early Yucatan residents used the material, but elsewhere in the world there is evidence of it being used in mortuary practices and rituals.

Source: CBC News July 03, 2020 18:11 UTC