The oldest Neanderthal rock paintings found in France: they are about 75,000 years old (6 photos + 1 video)

Strange marks hiding in a French cave on over 75,000 years, have been identified as the oldest cave paintings made by Neanderthals. Experts believe that these abandoned finger grooves can provide them with key information about artistic self-expression in an ancient human relative.





Scientists from the University of Tours analyzed the traces found on a wall in a cave in La Roche-Cotard in the French region Center-Val-de-Loire. We are talking about long lines, dashes and dots found in various places throughout the cave. The researchers created 3D models of these footprints to compare them with similar marks made by humans.

Based on the shape, distance, and location of these footprints, the team concluded that these were deliberate and consistent figures left by the fingers of Neanderthals on a soft surface.

Analyzing the deposits found in the area of the drawings, they found out that the entrance to the cave was closed about 57,000 years ago, when it filled with rocks and rubble. In an article in the journal Plos One, the researchers emphasize that this indicates that footprints appeared in this cave long before Homo sapiens settled in the region. And in combination with Neanderthal stone tools found in a cave the authorship of the drawings becomes obvious.






By studying the layers of rocks, the researchers concluded that the drawings could have been made as early as 75,000 years ago. However, since on engravings do not depict animals or objects, the intentions behind them are unclear. But they are the same age as the other cave paintings, made by early people in other parts of the world.

The scientists said the results of their study complement a growing body of evidence that behaviors and activities Neanderthals were as complex and varied as ours ancestors.






The authors stated: “Fifteen years after the resumption of excavations at La Roche-Cotard, the drawings have been dated to be over 57 years old 000 years old, and judging by the stratigraphy, they are probably about 75,000 years old, which makes this cave the oldest cave with rock art in France, if not all of Europe.

Previous finds indicating artistic self-expression of Neanderthals, include discovered in Gibraltar a rock painting over 39,000 years old and a deer bone with engraved 51,000 years old.