Neanderthal cave engravings discovered after 57,000 years
TL;DR
Researchers have identified markings on a cave wall in France as the oldest known engravings made by Neanderthals, dating back more than 57,000 years. The non-figurative markings on the wall are interpreted as finger-flutings, marks made by human hands. The team used photogrammetry to create 3D models of these markings, comparing them with known and experimental human markings. The team also dated cave sediments with optically-stimulated luminescence dating, determining that the cave became closed off by infilling sediment around 57,000 years ago, well before Homo sapiens became established in the region.
Topics:worldarchaeology#archaeology#cave-engravings#cultural-complexity#france#neanderthals#symbolic-expression
- Neanderthal cave engravings identified as oldest known, more than 57,000 years old Phys.org
- Oldest Known Neanderthal Engravings Were Sealed in a Cave for 57000 Years Smithsonian Magazine
- World's Oldest Cave Engravings Found, But Homo Sapiens Were Not The Artist IFLScience
- Could these marks on a cave wall be oldest-known Neanderthal “finger paintings”? Ars Technica
- Neanderthals created Europe's oldest 'intentional' engravings up to 75000 years ago, study suggests Livescience.com
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