ochre??

[saucerhead]

Hoping to get some info on orgin and maybe some pictures of any pieces that you may have found. Thanks!

 

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[ToddsPoint]

Wickliffe, KY along the Mississippi River is where you find red ochre. I find yellow ochre in a sandstone deposit near Effingham, IL along the Little Wabash River. Gary

 

[saucerhead]

Would that be a layer or pocket of ochre? Did the natives have to change it or process it from its natural state? I am sure it is found somewhere in Texas as well...

Would like to see some pics if you have some of the red and yellow!

 

[Charl]

These are from Maine. Not personal finds. They are from the Moorehead Phase of the Maritime Archaic, a phase associated with the so-called "Red Paint People". In fact the use of red ochre is associated with various cultures in the "Old World" dating back many tens of thousands of years. I find it fascinating that its use was so widespread. These pieces were excavated in the 19th century along the Kennebeck River, and acquired by one of the old time collectors from Ma prior to 1963. They are described here, with the first one here pictured in the article:

https://vc.bridgew.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1090&context=bmas

Pictured, thin celt made of slate:





And another celt, with heavy red ochre staining. Years ago, Nova produced a show titled "Secrets of the Lost Red Paint People", which can still be found on YouTube.







Secrets of the Lost Red Paint People:

 

[MosesOfTheSouth]

that video is great! thanks for posting!

 

[saucerhead]

Thanks Charl for the video and info!

 

[mainejman]

I've yet to come across any yet or any artifacts with any on them.Which surprises me...mjm

 

[mainejman]

I saw a shaft straightener in Illinois.It had three vertical grooves in it.They were maybe an inch long.In a couple of the grooves you could see red ochre powder in them still..it was crazy..

 

[willjo]

Red ochre this may not be but it is a pigment found in a sandy campsite where it is out of place and colors the sand around it

 

[georgia flatlander]

I recently found a red ochre deposit while digging for atifacts. It seems to be a man-made pit, judging from how it is situated and fairly symmetrical. I am trying to find pictures to post, but it looks as if it may have been a deposit they used on this particular site. It extends from about 18" below the current grade to a depth of approximately 48". Looking at it from the side, it looks to be about the size of a 55 gallon drum, as a reference. I've found many fire rocks around it, as well as plenty of points and tools. That particular area I'm digging has almost filled back in after recent downpours, but I will be digging it back out in the next month or so.
I'd be very interested in what everyone thinks about it.

 

[monsterrack]

In my area we believe they used the many colors of clay that we find here. They would collect it, dry it and then grind it into a powder.

 

[saucerhead]

Thanks for the picture Willjo, here is the only piece that I have ever found.





It has a fine texture and is not dry or powdery. I found it a couple feet deep, 6-7 years ago at a campsite and it has been in the case ever since. It has never crumbled or any pieces broken off of it. It has a texture similar to ladies eye shadow, some what wet or oily

Did the natives mix something with the ochre to get it to this consistency??

 

[unclemac]

i know a spot in California close to the Nevada border where the road cuts through a deposit of bright red ochre, you can pick it up by the bucket full.