Allochthonous red pigments used in burial practices at the Copper Age site of Valencina de la Concepción (Sevilla, Spain): characterisation and social dimension

► Red pigments used in burial practices at the Copper Age site of Valencina (Spain) were studied. ► The pigments appeared spread over the inhumation and grave goods. ► The analytical techniques revealed cinnabar mixed with tiny amounts of iron oxides. ► The conjunction of cinnabar and grave goods suggest that red is a marker for social differentiation.