Oldest European engravings, found in a French cave, may have been made by Neanderthals, not modern humans, reshaping our understanding of ancient art and cognition.
Ancient cave engravings discovered in France
The oldest known engravings in Europe were found in the La Roche-Cotard cave, located on the banks of the Loire River near the village of Langeais. These engravings, discovered on the cave’s rocky walls, date back at least 57,000 years and possibly as far as 75,000 years.Cave sealed for tens of thousands of years
The La Roche-Cotard cave was sealed by sediments for tens of thousands of years until the end of the 19th century. This site has yielded significant archaeological and paleontological remains, offering valuable insights into the region's prehistoric past.Engravings found in the cave
Among the discoveries in the cave are at least eight panels with more than 400 traces of lines and abstract points. These engravings are considered deliberate markings on the rock, suggesting intentional human activity.Researchers recreate the engravings
To understand how these engravings were made, researchers conducted an experiment in a similar cave. One person recreated the marks using fingers, bones, wood, flint, and metal points, and the results were compared with the prehistoric engravings using photogrammetry.Dating the engravings
Scientists used a technique called optically stimulated luminescence to determine when the cave sediments were last exposed to daylight. The analysis showed the cave had been sealed at least 57,000 years ago, possibly as long as 75,000 years ago.Neanderthals likely made the engravings
Modern humans are believed to have arrived in France no earlier than 54,000 years ago. Neanderthals, however, were present in the region for at least 300,000 years. This makes it highly unlikely that modern humans created the engravings.Study challenges previous assumptions
This study extends the known age of finger marks and links them for the first time to a hominid species other than Homo sapiens. It suggests Neanderthals had a more complex and diverse culture than previously believed.Neanderthals and symbolic art
The discovery challenges the idea that symbolic art emerged only with modern humans. These engravings suggest Neanderthals had the ability for abstract representation and possibly a form of visual communication.New questions about Neanderthal culture
The engravings raise questions about whether Neanderthals had a shared artistic culture or specific rituals. If so, the origins of human artistic heritage may be much older than previously thought.Natural environments and symbolic behavior
The study highlights the role of natural environments in the development of symbolic behaviors. Caves, with their textures and acoustics, may have been important spaces for gathering and collective expression among Neanderthals.La Roche-Cotard as a unique site
The La Roche-Cotard cave offers a rare glimpse into the cognitive abilities of Neanderthals and their interaction with the environment, providing new insights into the early development of symbolic behaviors in hominids.
