Longo L, Veronese M, Cagnato C, Sorrentino G, Tetruashvili A, Belfer-Cohen A… Hardy, K. (2025) Direct evidence for processing Isatis tinctoria L., a non-nutritional plant, 32–34,000 years ago. PLoS One 20(5): e0321262. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0321262

Recovering evidence for the intentional use of plants in the Palaeolithic is challenging due to their perishable nature as, unlike chipped stone or bone artefacts, plant remains are rarely preserved. This has created a paradigm for the Palaeolithic in which plants seldom feature, resulting in a partial and skewed perspective; in fact, plants were as essential to human life then as they are today. In this publication, morphological and spectroscopic analyses (µ-Raman, µ-FTIR) provide robust multiscale physical and biomolecular evidence for the deliberate pounding and grinding of Isatis tinctoria L. leaves 34–32,000 years ago. Although their bitter taste renders them essentially inedible, the leaves have well-recognised medicinal properties and contain indigotin precursors, the chromophore responsible for the blue colour of woad, a plant-based dye that is insoluble in water. We used a stringent approach to contamination control and biomolecular analysis to provide evidence for a new perspective on human behaviour, and the applied technical and ecological knowledge that is likely to have prevailed in the Upper Palaeolithic. Whether this plant was used as a colourant, as medicine, or indeed for both remains unknown, but offers a new perspective on the fascinating possibilities of non-edible plant use.

Direct evidence for processing Isatis tinctoria L., a non-nutritional plant, 32–34,000 years ago.

First published: 13 May 2025

<< Latest news