Archaeologists have revealed a discovery that could rewrite our understanding of early human ingenuity. In Dzudzuana Cave, Georgia, microscopic traces of blue indigo dye were found on stone tools, showing that humans were using plants for more than just food 34,000 years ago.

The dye, extracted from the woad plant, indicates deliberate processing—early humans were not just surviving, they were innovating. Tools bore residues in worn areas, suggesting techniques to extract and apply the pigment were already sophisticated. Experiments with river pebbles confirmed the methods, proving that these early societies had complex knowledge of plant-based materials.

“This challenges the idea that prehistoric humans used plants only for nutrition,” explains archaeologist Laura Longo. The discovery, confirmed with Raman spectroscopy and micro-CT scans, hints at a hidden chapter of cultural and technological evolution.

For the first time, we see that even tens of thousands of years ago, humans were experimenting with colors, revealing a creative spark that connects us across millennia.