Abstract
Simple SummaryThe once widespread bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) has the habit of bathing its polluted feathers and skin in red iron oxide-ochre-tainted water puddles. Primitive man may have tried to find out why: ochre is active in sunlight producing aggressive chemical species. They can kill viruses and bacteria and convert smelly organic substances into volatile neutral carbon dioxide gas. There is consequently a sanitary reason for the vulture’s habit of bathing in red ochre mud and this explains why prehistoric people included ochre use into their habits and rituals.Since primordial times, vultures have been competing with man for animal carcasses. One of these vultures, the once widespread bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus), has the habit of bathing its polluted feathers and skin in red iron oxide - ochre - tainted water puddles. Why? Primitive man may have tried to find out and may have discovered its advantages. Red ochre, which has accompanied human rituals and everyday life for more than 100,000 years, is not just a simple red paint for decoration or a symbol for blood. As modern experiments demonstrate, it is active in sunlight producing aggressive chemical species. They can kill viruses and bacteria and convert smelly organic substances into volatile neutral carbon dioxide gas. In this way, ochre can in sunlight sterilize and clean the skin to provide health and comfort and make it scentless, a definitive advantage for nomadic meat hunters. This research thus also demonstrates a sanitary reason for the vulture’s habit of bathing in red ochre mud. Prehistoric people have therefore included ochre use into their rituals, especially into those in relation to birth and death. Significant ritual impulses during evolution of man may thus have developed bio-mimetically, inspired from the habits of a vulture. It is discussed how this health strategy could be developed to a modern standard helping to fight antibiotics-resistant bacteria in hospitals.
Highlights
Red muddy water has a spectacular effect on the bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) (Figure 1)
What early man has learned from the bearded vulture, to use red ochre on his skin, may have safeguarded him through dangerous and challenging periods of evolution
Red ochre paining may have helped in all these situations
Summary
The Attraction of Red Ochre for a Vulture. Red muddy water has a spectacular effect on the bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) (Figure 1). With wide opened eyes he approaches the mud and repeatedly stops to look at it. With closed eyes he dips his head, shoulder and breast several times into the mud. The rest of the body follows until all white feathers are covered with mud. The red mud is systematically rubbed into the feathers until they are reddish brown. This remarkable vulture is at present still roaming all over Eurasia, North Africa, and in sub-Saharan Africa from Sudan to Animals 2016, 6, 7; doi:10.3390/ani6010007 www.mdpi.com/journal/animals
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