{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,10]],"date-time":"2026-10-10T16:47:35Z","timestamp":1791650855041,"version":"4.3.4"},"reference-count":52,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2016,1,15]],"date-time":"2016-01-15T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1452816000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Animals"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Since primordial times, vultures have been competing with man for animal carcasses. One of these vultures, the once widespread bearded vulture ( Gypaetus barbatus ), has the habit of bathing its polluted feathers and skin in red iron oxide - ochre - tainted water puddles. Why? Primitive man may have tried to find out and may have discovered its advantages. Red ochre, which has accompanied human rituals and everyday life for more than 100,000 years, is not just a simple red paint for decoration or a symbol for blood. As modern experiments demonstrate, it is active in sunlight producing aggressive chemical species. They can kill viruses and bacteria and convert smelly organic substances into volatile neutral carbon dioxide gas. In this way, ochre can in sunlight sterilize and clean the skin to provide health and comfort and make it scentless, a definitive advantage for nomadic meat hunters. This research thus also demonstrates a sanitary reason for the vulture\u2019s habit of bathing in red ochre mud. Prehistoric people have therefore included ochre use into their rituals, especially into those in relation to birth and death. Significant ritual impulses during evolution of man may thus have developed bio-mimetically, inspired from the habits of a vulture. It is discussed how this health strategy could be developed to a modern standard helping to fight antibiotics-resistant bacteria in hospitals.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/ani6010007","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2016,1,16]],"date-time":"2016-01-16T03:30:25Z","timestamp":1452915025000},"page":"7","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":23,"title":["Ochre Bathing of the Bearded Vulture: A Bio-Mimetic Model for Early Humans towards Smell Prevention and Health"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"6","author":[{"given":"Helmut","family":"Tributsch","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Bio-Mimetics Program, Carinthia University for Applied Sciences, Europastrasse 4, Villach 9524, Austria"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2016,1,15]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","unstructured":"Global Raptor Information Network. Available online: http:\/\/www.globalraptors.org\/grin\/SpeciesResults.asp?specID=8259."},{"key":"ref_2","first-page":"169","article-title":"Food choice and diet of the bearded vulture Gypaetus barbatus in southern Africa","volume":"25","author":"Brown","year":"1990","journal-title":"S. Afr. J. Zool."},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"235","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1474-919X.2008.00904.x","article-title":"Diet and food preferences of the endangered bearded vulture Gypaetus barbatus: A basis for their conservation","volume":"151","author":"Margalida","year":"2009","journal-title":"Ibis"},{"key":"ref_4","first-page":"95","article-title":"Incubation du Gypa\u00e8te barbu (Gypaetus barbatus) dans les Pyr\u00e9n\u00e9es","volume":"46","author":"Boudoint","year":"1979","journal-title":"Alauda"},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"785","DOI":"10.1093\/auk\/118.3.785","article-title":"Function and temporal variation in the use of ossuaries by bearded vultures (Gypaetus barbatus) during the nestling period","volume":"118","author":"Margalida","year":"2001","journal-title":"Auk"},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"187","DOI":"10.1007\/s00265-008-0649-6","article-title":"Bearded vultures (Gypaetus barbatus) prefer fatty bones","volume":"63","author":"Margalida","year":"2008","journal-title":"Ecol. Sociobiol."},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"560","DOI":"10.1525\/auk.2008.07124","article-title":"Presence of bone remains in the ossuaries of bearded vultures Gypaetus barbatus: Storage or nutritive rejection?","volume":"125","author":"Margalida","year":"2008","journal-title":"Auk"},{"key":"ref_8","unstructured":"Redbathing. Available online: http:\/\/hellgruen.posterous.com\/bartgeier-teil-3-rotbaden."},{"key":"ref_9","unstructured":"Magic of Mongolia (Magie der Mongolei). Available online: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=d7MXIjkfbog."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"F14","DOI":"10.1006\/anbe.1999.1251","article-title":"The function of the cosmetic coloration of bearded vultures: When art imitates life","volume":"58","author":"Negro","year":"1999","journal-title":"Anim. Behav."},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Negro, J.J., Margalida, A., Torres, M.J., Grande, J.M., Hiraldo, F., and Heredia, R. (2002). Iron oxides in the plumage of bearded vultures. Medicine or cosmetics?. Anim. Behav., 63.","DOI":"10.1006\/anbe.2002.3098"},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"F1","DOI":"10.1006\/anbe.2002.3097","article-title":"Deliberate rusty staining of plumage in the bearded vulture: Does function precede art?","volume":"64","author":"Arlettaz","year":"2002","journal-title":"Anim. Behav."},{"key":"ref_13","first-page":"507","article-title":"\u00dcber Haftfarben bei Vogeln: Rostf\u00e4rbung durch Eisenoxid beim Bartgeier (Gypaetus barbatus) und bei anderen Arten","volume":"93","author":"Berthold","year":"1967","journal-title":"Zool. Jahrb. Syst."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"627","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1469-7998.1991.tb04392.x","article-title":"Plumage colour and feather structure of the bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus)","volume":"223","author":"Brown","year":"1991","journal-title":"J. Zool."},{"key":"ref_15","first-page":"1","article-title":"Zur Genese der Haftfarbe (Rostf\u00e4rbung durch Eisenoxid) beim Bartgeier, Gypaetus barbatus","volume":"37","author":"Frey","year":"1994","journal-title":"Egretta"},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"S145","DOI":"10.1086\/510095","article-title":"Cosmetic coloration in birds: Occurrence, function, and evolution","volume":"169","author":"Delhey","year":"2007","journal-title":"Am. Nat."},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"394","DOI":"10.1093\/biosci\/biu034","article-title":"Humans and scavengers: Evolution of interactions and ecosystem services","volume":"64","author":"Moleon","year":"2014","journal-title":"Bioscience"},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"27","DOI":"10.1016\/j.biocon.2014.10.022","article-title":"Manipulating size, amount and appearance of food inputs to optimize supplementary feeding programs for European vultures","volume":"181","author":"Trujillano","year":"2015","journal-title":"Biol.Conserv."},{"key":"ref_19","first-page":"127","article-title":"Optimization of supplementary feeding programs for European vultures depends on environmental and management factors","volume":"6","author":"Trujillano","year":"2015","journal-title":"Ecosphere"},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"631","DOI":"10.1086\/202541","article-title":"Red ochre and human evolution: A case for discussion","volume":"21","author":"Wreschner","year":"1980","journal-title":"Curr. Anthropol."},{"key":"ref_21","unstructured":"Leroi-Gourhan, A. (1968). The Art of Prehistoric Man in Western Europe, Thames & Hudson."},{"key":"ref_22","unstructured":"Sagona, A. (1994). Bruising the Red Earth: Ochre Mining and Ritual in Aboriginal Tasmania, Melbourne University Press."},{"key":"ref_23","unstructured":"Roebroeks, W., Sier, M.J., Kellberg-Nielsen, T., de Loecker, D., Par\u00e9s, J.M., Arps, C.E.S., and M\u00fccher, H.J. Use of Red Ochre by Early Neandertals. Available online: www.pnas.org\/lookup\/suppl\/doi:10.1073\/pnas.1112261109\/-\/DCSupplemental."},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"219","DOI":"10.1126\/science.1211535","article-title":"A 100,000 years old ochre processing workshop at Blombos cave, South Africa","volume":"334","author":"Henshilwood","year":"2011","journal-title":"Science"},{"key":"ref_25","unstructured":"Augusta, J., and Burian, Z. (1961). People from Prehistory (Menschen der Vorzeit), Bertelsmann."},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"169","DOI":"10.1126\/science.283.5399.169b","article-title":"Ancient child burial uncovered in Portugal","volume":"283","author":"Holden","year":"1999","journal-title":"Science"},{"key":"ref_27","unstructured":"Probst, E. (1986). Deutschland in der Urzeit, Bertelsmann Verlag. (In German)."},{"key":"ref_28","unstructured":"Rudner, I. (1993). The South African Archaelogical Society, Godwin Series; South African Archaeological Society."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"402","DOI":"10.1007\/s00027-003-0675-4","article-title":"Role of the Photo-Fenton reaction in the production of hydroxyl radicals and photobleaching of colored dissolved organic matter in a coastal river of the southeastern United States","volume":"65","author":"White","year":"2003","journal-title":"Aquat. Sci."},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Foot, C.S., Valentine, J.S., Greenberg, A., and Liebman, J.F. (1995). Active Oxygen in Chemistry, Chapman and Hall.","DOI":"10.1007\/978-1-4613-9783-0"},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"711","DOI":"10.1126\/science.220.4598.711","article-title":"Photochemical formation of hydrogen peroxide in surface and ground waters exposed to sunlight","volume":"220","author":"Cooper","year":"1983","journal-title":"Science"},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2517","DOI":"10.1021\/es00048a032","article-title":"Photochemistry of aqueous iron(III) polycarboxylate complexes: Roles in the chemistry of atmospheric and surface waters","volume":"27","author":"Faust","year":"1993","journal-title":"Environ. Sci. Technol."},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1130","DOI":"10.1021\/es020757l","article-title":"Hydroxyl radical production via the Photo-Fenton reaction in the presence of fulvic acid","volume":"37","author":"Southworth","year":"2003","journal-title":"Environ. Sci. Technol."},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1004","DOI":"10.1021\/es9604018","article-title":"Iron redox cycling in surface waters: Effects of humic substances and light","volume":"31","author":"Voelker","year":"1997","journal-title":"Environ. Sci. Technol."},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"313","DOI":"10.1021\/es00026a011","article-title":"Hydroxyl radical formation in aqueous reactions (pH 3\u20138) of iron(II)","volume":"26","author":"Zepp","year":"1992","journal-title":"Environ. Sci. Technol."},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"3314","DOI":"10.1021\/es001324q","article-title":"Diuron degradation in irradiated, heterogeneous iron\/oxalate systems: The ratedetermining step","volume":"35","author":"Mazellier","year":"2001","journal-title":"Environ. Sci. Technol."},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"540","DOI":"10.4319\/lo.2004.49.2.0540","article-title":"Phototransformation of riverine dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the presence of abundant iron: Effect on DOM bioavailability","volume":"49","author":"Kaiser","year":"2004","journal-title":"Limnol. Oceanogr."},{"key":"ref_38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"341","DOI":"10.1163\/156856797X00565","article-title":"The Photo-Fenton oxidation\u2014A clean and efficient waste water treatment method","volume":"23","author":"Bauer","year":"1997","journal-title":"Res. Chem. Intermed."},{"key":"ref_39","unstructured":"Willig, F., and Tributsch, H. (1998). Abstract and Proceedings of IPS-12 (12th International Conference on Photochemical Conversion and Storage of Solar Energy) (Berlin 1998), Hahn-Meitner Institut."},{"key":"ref_40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2418","DOI":"10.1021\/es9808705","article-title":"Atrazine degradation in irradiated iron\/oxalate systems: Effect of pH and oxalate","volume":"33","author":"Balmer","year":"1999","journal-title":"Environ. Sci.Technol."},{"key":"ref_41","unstructured":"Pal, P., Sharon, M., and Kamat, D. (1996). Abstracts and Proceedings of IPS-11."},{"key":"ref_42","unstructured":"Fujishima, A., Hashimoto, K., and Watanabe, T. (1999). TiO2 Photocatalysis, Bkc. Inc."},{"key":"ref_43","unstructured":"Knight, C. (1991). Blood Relations: Menstruation and the Origins of Culture, Yale University Press."},{"key":"ref_44","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"227","DOI":"10.1086\/204491","article-title":"Self-representation in upper paleolithic female figurines","volume":"37","year":"1996","journal-title":"Curr. Anthropol."},{"key":"ref_45","unstructured":"Knight, C., and Power, C. Ochre and Sexual Deception. Available online: www.archaeologyuk.org\/ba\/ba2\/BA2FEAT.HTML."},{"key":"ref_46","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"491","DOI":"10.1086\/375869","article-title":"An early case of color symbolism: Ochre use by early modern humans in Qafzeh Cave","volume":"44","author":"Hovers","year":"2003","journal-title":"Curr. Anthropol."},{"key":"ref_47","unstructured":"Lockwood, D. (1962). I, the Aboriginal: As told to Douglas Lockwood, New Holland Publishers."},{"key":"ref_48","first-page":"21","article-title":"Human evolution and the evolution of human disease","volume":"1","author":"Armelagos","year":"1991","journal-title":"Ethn. Dis"},{"key":"ref_49","unstructured":"Cockburn, T.A. (1967). Infectious Diseases: Their Evolution and Eradication, Charles C. Thomas."},{"key":"ref_50","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"45","DOI":"10.1086\/201168","article-title":"Infectious disease in ancient populations","volume":"12","author":"Cockburn","year":"1971","journal-title":"Curr. Anthropol."},{"key":"ref_51","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ewald, P.W. (1994). Evolution of Infectious Disease, Oxford University Press.","DOI":"10.1093\/oso\/9780195060584.001.0001"},{"key":"ref_52","unstructured":"Berndt, R.M., and Berndt, C.H. (1999). The World of the First Australians, Aboriginal Studies Press."}],"container-title":["Animals"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2076-2615\/6\/1\/7\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,11]],"date-time":"2025-10-11T19:17:46Z","timestamp":1760210266000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2076-2615\/6\/1\/7"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2016,1,15]]},"references-count":52,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2016,1]]}},"alternative-id":["ani6010007"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ani6010007","relation":{},"ISSN":["2076-2615"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2076-2615","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2016,1,15]]}}}