Was this art painted in human BLOOD?

Why would people use human blood to paint rock art 2000 years ago?

Explore the latest archaeological discoveries from the Zuojiang Huashan Rock Art in China, from a new study recently published in 2026.

#archaeology #archeology #prehistory #archaeologynews #discoveries #shorts #chinesehistory

Sources:
- Wu, M., Hu, P., Zhai, K., Weng, X., Wang, Y., Chen, H., Liao, W., Zhou, X., Lin, X., Wei, P. and Wang, W., 2026. Blood-induced biomineralized calcium carbonate used for binding in the Huashan rock art of Guangxi, Southern China. Journal of Archaeological Science, 193, p.106650.
- Gerrits, T., 1997. Social and cultural aspects of infertility in Mozambique. Patient education and counseling, 31(1), pp.39-48.
- Were these ancient rock images painted with human blood? (2026). AAAS Articles DO Group.

Images:
- “Zuojiang Huashan Rock Art (53565160143)” by xiquinhosilva, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.
- Zuojiang Huashan Rock Art (53564116647).jpg by xiquinhosilva via Wikimedia commons, CC-BY-2.0.
- Rock painting hua mountain 1.jpg, CC-BY-SA-3.0, Rolfmueller, Wikimedia commons.
- Mozambique024.jpg, by Calliopejen, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons.
- Ethnic Zhuang Costumes Guangnan Yunnan China.jpg, JialiangGao, CC-BY-SA-4.0, Wikimedia commons.
- Diagram of a hypothetical Chacoan matriline, by T. Harper, licensed under CC-BY-4.0, obtained from: Kennett, D., Plog, S., George, R. et al. Archaeogenomic evidence reveals prehistoric matrilineal dynasty. Nat Commun 8, 14115 (2017).