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Abstract

There is hardly an account of the Aborigines of Tasmania
in which the use of red ochre is not mentioned.
Captain Cook, in the description of his third voyage,
already states that the Aborigines smeared their hair
and beard with, a mixture of grease and red ochre. Later
observers who came in contact with the Aborigines
noticed the same. Questions remain unresolved as to the reasons why only the male aboriginies did this.
Many theories have been put forward, such as the Aborigines believed that hair clotted with ochre was seen as an exclusive male ornament, or it was done as a symbolic act, representing the blood of the vanquished enemy.
It has been asertained that the red ochre as used by the Aborigines is not a
natural, but an artificial produce, being the result of
roasting certain suitable iron ores in the fire.

Item Type:	Article
Authors/Creators:	Noetling, Fritz
Keywords:	Royal Society of Tasmania, Van Diemens Land, VDL, Hobart Town, natural sciences, proceedings, records
Journal or Publication Title:	Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania
ISSN:	0080-4703
Collections:	Royal Society Collection > Papers & Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania
Additional Information:	In 1843 the Horticultural and Botanical Society of Van Diemen's Land was founded and became the Royal Society of Van Diemen's Land for Horticulture, Botany, and the Advancement of Science in 1844. In 1855 its name changed to Royal Society of Tasmania for Horticulture, Botany, and the Advancement of Science. In 1911 the name was shortened to Royal Society of Tasmania.
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