Rather than focus on specific sites,regions or technocomplexes, #Dapschauskas et al use methods based on #timeaveraging to identify three continent-wide distinct phases of ochre use: an initial phase 500-330 thousand years ago (ka); an emergent phase from 330-160 ka; and an habitual phase from 160-40 ka.

At each phase, the number of sites with ochre increases; the ratio of sites with ochre compared to those with only stone artefacts shows increasing intensity of ochre use. It becomes habitual cultural practice in S, E and N Africa from 160 ka when a third of sites contain ochre.

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Image: three maps of Africa show three distinct phases of ochre use, initial from 500-330,000 years ago; emergent from 330-160,000 years ago; and habitual from 160-40,000 years. The final phase shows large quantities in South and East Africa with sites also in the North.