- Stick drawing found by chance by field trip in 2010
- Uranium dating proves it dates to 12493BC
By Rob Waugh
|
A reindeer engraved on the wall of a cave in South Wales has been found to date from at least 14,505 years ago.
It is the oldest known artwork in the British isles, dated using uranium to 12493BC.
The five-inch deer was carved into the wall of Cathole Cave in Wales using a sharp flint tool - and even shows off cross-hatching..
reindeer engraved on the wall of a cave in South Wales has been found to date from at least 14,505 years ago - making it the oldest known rock art in the British Isles
The engraving was discovered in September 2010 by Dr George Nash from the University of Bristol's Department of Archaeology and Anthropology while he was exploring the rear section of Cathole Cave, a limestone cave on the eastern side of an inland valley on the Gower Peninsula in South Wales.
Found to the rear of the cave on a small vertical limestone niche, the engraved cervid - probably a stylised reindeer - is shown side-on and measures approximately 15 x 11cm.
It was carved using a sharp-pointed tool, probably made of flint, by an artist using his or her right hand.
The animal's elongated torso has been infilled with irregular-spaced vertical and diagonal lines, while the legs and stylised antlers comprise simple lines.
The reindeer was engraved over a mineral deposit known as a 'speleothem' - cave formation, which itself developed over a large piece of limestone.
The carving was only discovered by chance when scientist Dr George Nash spotted it in limestone while leading a group of students on a field trip in Cathole Cave, on the Gower Peninsula, in 2010
Extending over the left side of the figure is a flowstone deposit which extends across part of the animal's muzzle and antler set.
In April 2011, Dr Peter van Calsteren and Dr Louise Thomas of the NERC-Open University Uranium-series Facility extracted three samples from the surface of the speleothem covering the engraving. One of these samples produced a minimum date of 12,572 years BP (before present), with a margin of plus or minus 600 years.
A further sample, taken in June 2011 from the same flowstone deposit, revealed a minimum date of 14,505 years BP, plus or minus 560 years.
Dr Nash said: ‘The earlier date is comparable with Uranium-series dating of flowstone that covers engraved figures within Church Hole Cave at Creswell along the Nottinghamshire/Derbyshire border.
‘However, the new minimum date of 14,505 plus 560 years BP makes the engraved reindeer in South Wales the oldest rock art in the British Isles, if not North western Europe.â €™
-
Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the... -
'Cannibal' attack in China as drunk bus driver leaps on... -
Marijuana deals, the pain of Happy Meals and how to get a... -
The wedding with the ex factor! Kate and William watch their... -
They get fired for being ill and they HATE it when you order... -
Unlucky number? ALL of Tom Cruise's marriages ended when... -
Rupert Murdoch brands Scientologists 'creepy and evil' as he... -
What a MARVEL! The blue and red lizard with a striking... -
'I didn't marry into royalty to schlep around in a taxi':... -
The cop who can't be fired from his $60,000 job despite... -
The sad tale of the Wal-mart worker, 73, FIRED after being... -
Ann Curry wasn't right for the job says NBC chief in...
Share this article:
Here's what other readers have said. Why not add your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.
The comments below have not been moderated.
- Newest
- Oldest
- Best rated
- Worst rated
Where's the face of Jesus again?
Report abuse
Perhaps we should stand back a bit further from the picture to get perspective, but these do not look at all clear as to what they are. Perhaps the finder should look at the Spotted Hyena in the Chauvet Cave or the amazing rock paintings at Bhimbetka. It may just be a poor picture, but it looks more like a bit of Jack Frost's work than prehistoric man's.
Report abuse
A cave in Bodmin has a Cornish Pasty drawing made several thousand years before
Report abuse
How did a welsh person (see how PC I am) get to Lapland 14,500 years ago, and all the way back to draw a reindeer. It must be a scam.
Report abuse
I can just make out Father Xmas, but no reindeer.
Report abuse
It must be April 1st. I can't see a raindeer, can you?
Report abuse
The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar