Archaeologists in Germany have identified what they believe is Europe’s oldest blue paint, shedding new light on how late Stone Age communities may have used color in symbolic and possibly spiritual ways. The pigment was discovered in a prehistoric paint container found near the River Main, about 10 miles east of Frankfurt.
Researchers say the paint, made from ground azurite—a copper-based mineral—was likely created around 14,000 years ago. It was stored in a naturally bowl-shaped stone about 20 centimeters (8 inches) wide, capable of holding roughly 30 cubic centimeters (2 tablespoons) of pigment.
The artifact, originally uncovered during excavations in the 1970s, was only recently reanalyzed using modern techniques developed in the past decade. The find marks the first known use of blue pigment from that period in Europe.
Rare use of blue in prehistoric art
The scientific team, led by archaeologist Izzy Wisher from Aarhus University in Denmark, confirmed the presence of the pigment during investigations carried out in 2023 and 2024.
Wisher explained that the discovery significantly broadens the understanding of color use in prehistoric times. She said blue was likely more than just decorative—it may have served a deeper, symbolic purpose, possibly linked to protection or spiritual belief.
Blue pigments are rarely found in Stone Age contexts. Most Paleolithic artworks across Europe and beyond were created using pigments of red, black, white, and yellow. Among thousands of known examples of early human art, only a few—such as figurines from prehistoric Siberia—show any traces of blue.
Symbolic use and material limitations
The rarity of blue in durable artworks has led researchers to believe it may have been reserved for uses that did not survive the passage of time.
Possibilities include body painting, textile decoration, or adornment of wooden and organic materials. The limited availability of azurite and other blue-producing minerals also suggests the color may have held special meaning.
The paint container was part of a larger Paleolithic riverside campsite associated with the Magdalenian culture. Archaeologists also found stone tools, arrowheads, and a ring of rocks likely used to secure a tent structure. According to researchers, the group that occupied the site was probably not directly related to modern European populations, but among the final members of this ancient cultural group.
Wisher emphasized that new atomic-level detection methods are beginning to uncover traces of pigments that were previously invisible. She said the recent findings likely represent only a small part of a much broader prehistoric use of color, one that future research may finally bring into full view.
