In a new discovery that illuminates new insights into the early prehistoric origins of art and creativity, researchers have identified the earliest known use of blue mineral pigment in Europe.

At the Final Paleolithic site of Mühlheim-Dietesheim, Germany, archaeologists from several European institutions found traces of a blue residue on a stone artifact dating back about 13,000 years.

Using a suite of cutting-edge scientific analyses, they confirmed the traces were from the vivid blue mineral pigment azurite, previously unseen in Europe's Paleolithic art. Their results are published in the journal Antiquity.

"This challenges what we thought we knew about Paleolithic pigment use," says lead author of the study, Dr. Izzy Wisher from Aarhus University.

Until now, scholars believed Paleolithic artists predominantly used only red and black pigments—no other colors are present in the art of this period. This was thought to be due to a lack of blue minerals or their limited visual appeal.

Given the absence of blues in Paleolithic art, this new discovery suggests that blue mineral pigments may have been used for either body decoration or dyeing fabrics—activities that leave few archaeological traces.

"The presence of azurite shows that Paleolithic people had a deep knowledge of mineral pigments and could access a much broader color palette than we previously thought—and they may have been selective in the way they used certain colors," Dr. Wisher says.

The stone bearing the azurite traces was originally thought to be a simple oil lamp. Now, it appears to have been a mixing surface or palette for preparing blue pigments—hinting at sophisticated artistic or cosmetic traditions that remain largely invisible today.

The findings urge a rethink of Paleolithic art and color use, opening new avenues for exploring how early humans expressed identity, status, and beliefs through materials far more varied and vibrant than previously imagined.

Edited by Lisa Lock, reviewed by Robert Egan