Jean-Claude and Trine Freiesleben in conversation, deciphering the location for OSL samples collection amidst the ancient fingerprints. Image courtesy: Kristina Thomsen, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.
Pre-dating the existence of Homo sapiens in the area, finger impressions were found on a cave wall in France.
A research paper recently published in the PLOS ONE journal by Jean-Claude Marquet and fellow researchers from University of Tours, France, announced the discovery of the oldest known Neanderthal engravings on a French cave wall.
The cultural sophistication of Neanderthals has been a topic of intense study over recent years. Nonetheless, our knowledge about their symbolic and artistic expression remains scant.
Neanderthals are known for a limited set of symbolic creations and these are often at the center of academic debates. The recent research by Marquet and team identifies marks on a French cave wall as the oldest engravings by Neanderthals.
These marks were found in La Roche-Cotard, a cave in France’s Centre-Val de Loire region. Non-figurative marks on the cave wall, interpreted as finger-flutings, are considered to have been created by human hands.
A 3D Animation: The prominently decorated wall of the Roche-Cotard cave. Image courtesy: Marquet et al., PLOS ONE, 2023, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.
The study team performed a plotting analysis and utilized photogrammetry to construct 3D models of these marks, comparing them to both known and experimental human marks. The arrangement, spacing, and form of these engravings led the team to conclude that these were deliberate and systematic designs, intentionally created by human hands.
The researchers employed optically-stimulated luminescence dating on the cave sediments, which suggested that the cave was sealed off by sediment accumulation around 57,000 years ago, a period significantly preceding the emergence of Homo sapiens in this region.
The cave also contained solely Mousterian stone tools, a technology characteristic of Neanderthals. This strongly supports the belief that Neanderthals were responsible for these engravings.
Samples of engravings found in the Roche-Cotard cave (Indre et Loire – France). The left image showcases the “circular panel” (ogive-shaped tracings) and the right one presents the “wavy panel” (two adjoining tracings forming sinuous lines). Image courtesy: Jean-Claude Marquet, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.
As the symbols are non-figurative, it’s unclear what the original intentions were behind them. However, their age aligns with cave engravings crafted by Homo sapiens found elsewhere in the world. This contributes to a mounting body of evidence suggesting the complexity and diversity of Neanderthal activities mirroring those of our ancestors.
The authors added, “Fifteen years following the recommencement of excavations at La Roche-Cotard site, the engravings have been dated to be more than 57,000 years old and, based on stratigraphic evidence, likely around 75,000 years old. This renders it the oldest decorated cave in France, if not all of Europe!”
Reference: “The earliest unambiguous Neanderthal engravings on cave walls: La Roche-Cotard, Loire Valley, France” by Jean-Claude Marquet et al., 21 June 2023, PLOS ONE.
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286568
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Neanderthal cave engravings
Where were the oldest known Neanderthal engravings discovered?
The oldest known Neanderthal engravings were discovered on a cave wall in La Roche-Cotard, located in France’s Centre-Val de Loire region.
Who were the main researchers involved in this study?
The study was conducted by Jean-Claude Marquet and his colleagues from the University of Tours, France.
How old are the Neanderthal engravings discovered in the cave?
The engravings in the cave have been dated to be over 57,000 years old and possibly as old as around 75,000 years based on stratigraphic evidence.
What methods did the researchers use to analyze the engravings?
The researchers used a plotting analysis and photogrammetry to create 3D models of the engravings. They also used optically-stimulated luminescence dating to date the cave sediments.
What does this discovery suggest about Neanderthal culture?
This discovery contributes to a growing body of evidence suggesting that the behavior and activities of Neanderthals were as complex and diverse as those of Homo sapiens. It provides further insight into their cultural sophistication and symbolic expression.
What was the intention behind these non-figurative symbols created by Neanderthals?
The intentions behind these non-figurative symbols remain unclear due to their abstract nature. However, their existence and complexity suggest advanced cognitive abilities and symbolic behavior among Neanderthals.
More about Neanderthal cave engravings
- Earliest Unambiguous Neanderthal Engravings
- Neanderthal Culture and Symbolic Expression
- Introduction to Neanderthal Life
- Overview of Optically Stimulated Luminescence
5 comments
been to la roche-cotard myself a few years back. an incredible place, even more so knowing it holds such history. gotta go back i think
wow thats old!! who woulda thought those cave guys were artists, eh? Science never ceases to amaze me 🙂
kinda blows my mind to think these non-figurative symbols were created so long ago. It’s like abstract art isn’t it? So cool!
didnt know neanderthals were capable of such creativity…makes you wonder what else they could do. the mysteries of history, huh!
this is absolutely fascinating, it seems like were finding out more about our ancient relatives every day. i wonder what else we’ll discover next…