A groundbreaking study published in Science Advances suggests that ochre, a naturally occurring red pigment, may have helped early humans survive a massive spike in ultraviolet radiation roughly 41,000 years ago—a period that may also mark the extinction of the Neanderthals.
Earth's Magnetic Field in Turmoil
Researchers from the University of Michigan analyzed samples from the last Ice Age and found that during this period, Earth’s magnetic field weakened by up to 90%. This drastic change, coupled with a shift in the magnetic poles by about 75 degrees from their usual alignment, allowed charged solar particles to bombard the atmosphere.
The magnetic south pole drifted from Antarctica to somewhere between Australia and New Zealand, while the north pole shifted toward western Eurasia and North Africa. These changes devastated the ozone layer—the atmospheric shield that protects life on Earth from harmful UV rays—leaving both early modern humans and Neanderthals dangerously exposed.
In some parts of the world, scientists believe solar particles may have reached all the way to the ground, creating lethal levels of radiation that could have had dire consequences for survival.
Ochre: A Life-Saving Adaptation?
Intriguingly, the regions most affected by increased UV radiation coincide with archaeological sites where ochre was widely used. According to ScienceAlert, this widespread use of ochre—applied to cave walls, tools, and even human skin—may not have been purely symbolic. In this harsh environment, ochre could have functioned as an early form of sunscreen.
This theory gains further credibility from modern practices. The Himba people of northern Namibia and some Indigenous Australian communities still use ochre for sun protection today. In addition, recent research confirms that ochre does have UV-blocking properties.
The researchers note a compelling timeline overlap between the magnetic field disruption and the disappearance of the Neanderthals. If this connection holds, it raises a fascinating possibility: the use of ochre may have given Homo sapiens a survival edge that Neanderthals lacked—or failed to use as effectively.
Rethinking the Neanderthal Story
However, not all scientists are convinced. Some caution that this explanation may oversimplify the complex reality of human evolution. There's growing evidence that Neanderthals also used ochre, decorated their caves, and had tools for making clothing. These clues suggest that their behavior was more sophisticated than previously thought.
Ultimately, while the study opens a fascinating window into prehistoric survival strategies, experts agree that the disappearance of the Neanderthals was likely the result of multiple interwoven factors—with ochre being just one piece of the puzzle.
