Ancient map found in Paris basin

A research team has detailed the discovery of a three-dimensional map dating back nearly 13,000 years, created by Paleolithic humans in a rock shelter in the Paris basin. Found at the Ségognole 3 site, this prehistoric map represents one of the most impressive discoveries concerning the ancient understanding of the natural landscape. It also challenges preconceived notions about how our ancestors perceived and interacted with their environment.

Site known for ancient engravings

The Ségognole 3 rock shelter is a well-known archaeological site, particularly for its Paleolithic engravings depicting horses and female motifs associated with ancient beliefs. This site, explored since the 1980s, recently revealed another surprising secret: the presence of a miniature three-dimensional "map," modeled in the floor of the shelter made of quartzite sandstone. Researchers discovered geomorphological features that could not have been of natural origin but had been intentionally shaped by humans.

Discovery led by interdisciplinary research

Dr. Médard Thiry, from the Center of Geosciences at Mines Paris-PSL, first noted these characteristics during his visit to the site in 2017, which led to a more detailed examination of the area. Another important aspect of this discovery is the way it was made possible by the collaboration between different scientific disciplines. The cross-disciplinary approach in archaeology, geology, and geomorphology allowed researchers to decipher this prehistoric map.

Map represents natural features

In collaboration with Dr. Anthony Milnes from the University of Adelaide, the research team revealed that the observed modifications in the sandstone floor formed a kind of miniature model of the surrounding landscape. This map is not a traditional map that one might associate with modern concepts such as distance or direction. Instead, it represents a miniature of the terrain illustrating natural elements such as the flow of streams and rivers, the convergence of valleys, and the formation of lakes and marshes. It is therefore a kind of functional map focused not on geographical location but on natural dynamics essential to the survival of human groups at that time.

Water management and symbolic meaning

Dr. Milnes notes: "For Paleolithic peoples, the direction of water currents and the recognition of landscape features were probably more important than modern concepts such as distance and time." This observation suggests that our prehistoric ancestors were attentive to natural resources, particularly water, and had an intimate knowledge of how their environment functioned.

Ancient engineering and cartography

Research has shown that humans of this era did not merely live in their environment but adapted it to their needs. By carving the sandstone, they created channels intended to guide the flow of rainwater and direct water infiltration, demonstrating a high level of technical mastery. This ability of hydraulic engineering has never been recognized before in such an ancient context and it is likely that it played an essential role in water management in a precarious environment. Beyond the practical use, these installations could also have had a mythological or symbolic meaning related to nature and water.

Oldest known three-dimensional map

Before this discovery, the oldest known three-dimensional map dated back to the Bronze Age, about 3,000 years ago. This engraved stone plate showed a river network and earth mounds and was used for navigation. The discovery of the Ségognole 3 site therefore significantly changes our perception of prehistoric cartography. It testifies to the cognitive abilities and engineering skills of early humans, capable of representing not only their immediate environment but also of manipulating natural elements to meet their needs.