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Earliest European Cave Art

June 15th, 2012
El Castillo Cave
The El Castillo Cave in Spain. The refined dating shows these paintings to be far older than anyone thought

Red dots, hand stencils and animal figures represent the oldest examples yet found of cave art in Europe.

The symbols on the walls at 11 Spanish locations, including the World Heritage sites of Altamira, El Castillo and Tito Bustillo have long been recognised for their antiquity.

But researchers have now used refined dating techniques to get a more accurate determination of their ages.

One motif – a faint red dot – is said to be more than 40,000 years old….

The oldest dates coincide with the first known immigration into Europe of modern humans (Homo sapiens). Before about 41,000 years ago, it is their evolutionary cousins, the Neanderthals (Homo neanderthalensis), who dominate the continent.

Dr Pike’s and colleagues’ work therefore raises some intriguing questions about who might have authored the markings.

If anatomically modern humans were responsible then it means they engaged in the activity almost immediately on their arrival in Europe.

If Neanderthals were the artisans, it adds another layer to our understanding of their capabilities and sophistication.

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2 Responses to “Earliest European Cave Art”

  1. thanks for sharing this Philip. I remember visiting the Altamira caves when I was a child as part of a ‘school trip'( I’m spanish, I live in England now) . Those were the days when crowds of people were allowed in. Now , I think you have to make an appointment and there’s a waiting list.( The reason being the damage people’s breathing was causing to the paintings) . Although very young , I’ll never forget that experience. I must find out more about El Castillo. Thanks again and wishing you a blessed Alban Hefin

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