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Newly confirmed as the oldest in Britain, a set of painted rock markings found within a Welsh cave has garnered significant attention from archaeologists. The discovery centers around ten red horizontal stripes located in a side chamber of the Bacon Hole cave on the Gower Peninsula in Swansea. Originally uncovered in 1912, these markings were later dismissed as natural mineral deposits rather than human-made art. However, recent scientific advancements have provided evidence dating the artwork to at least 17,100 years ago, thereby also making it the oldest known rock art in north-western Europe.
George Nash, an archaeologist specializing in prehistoric art, suggests the significance of the painted lines extends beyond simple decoration. He proposed that the markings may have functioned as a form of communication, although their precise meaning remains elusive. Nash explained that from a contemporary perspective, this might be regarded as “art,” but 17,100 years ago, it likely served a practical or symbolic purpose that “is way beyond our comprehension.” The horizontal stripes could potentially be tally marks, possibly indicating how long individuals had visited or occupied the cave.
At the time this rock art was created, the area now submerged under the Bristol Channel was a fertile plateau stretching between Gower and north Devon. This land provided abundant grazing opportunities for prehistoric animals like mammoth, bison, horses, elk, and reindeer, attracting hunter-gatherer groups who likely utilized one or more of the 95 caves dotting the Gower coastline. Excavations have uncovered stone tools in the region, supporting its importance as a habitation and hunting ground despite the harsh climatic conditions of the period. Summer temperatures averaged around -10°C (14°F), with glaciers retreating and shaping a largely treeless landscape.
The artwork was essentially “rediscovered” in 2022, having been overlooked for decades due to calcite deposits obscuring the pigment from view. Using uranium-thorium dating techniques, an international team led by Nash confirmed that these red lines were indeed made by human hands rather than natural phenomena. Although the mineral crust overlaying the paint is dated to 17,100 years old, there remains the possibility that the pigment itself could be older. Today, efforts are underway to protect the site, which currently lacks scheduled monument status despite being located within the limestone cliffs cared for by National Trust Cymru. A steel grill has been installed in the chamber to prevent vandalism, ensuring that only bats share the space with this enigmatic record of human history
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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