Prehistoric Cave Research Articles

O USO DE GEOTINTAS NA PINTURA – A EXPERIÊNCIA DO ATELIÊ TERRA & TELA

Historically, natural pigments have been central to artistic expression, from prehistoric cave paintings to techniques employed by ancient and medieval civilizations. Recently, there has been renewed interest in these materials for their unique aesthetic and eco-friendly qualities. This study investigates the use of geotints, natural pigments derived from soils and sediments, in contemporary art through the experience of Terra & Tela studio. The research focuses on the process of creating geotints from soil and sediments samples collected in Tocantins state, Brazil, a region known for its rich geodiversity. The research details the process of geotint production, from material collection to application on canvas, and discusses the artistic and environmental implications of this practice. The project integrated geotints into artistic practice through exhibitions and workshops that highlighted their unique textures and colors. Key findings show that geotints effectively merge scientific concepts with art. Workshops, where participants prepared and used these pigments, demonstrated the approach’s educational value. By linking art with science, geotints provided a hands-on understanding of soil properties and geological processes, enriching both artistic creativity and scientific literacy. This study emphasizes art’s role in bridging scientific knowledge with creative expression.

Digital Artistry: Exploring Techniques and Trends in Indian Art and Culture

From prehistoric cave paintings to contemporary digital creations, art has been integral to human expression throughout history. Digital art in modern art gradually includes various forms, such as Painting, sculpture and animation, using technology as its medium. Digital art includes any artistic work using digital technology, including Painting, 3D modelling, and interactive installations. It combines human creativity with computer technology, expanding the possibilities of creative expression. Studying digital artistry in India provides insights into cultural preservation, technological innovation, and social commentary. It promotes educational development and economic opportunities, contributing to the country's vibrant artistic scene. Technological advancements have democratized digital art creation in India, leading to diverse artistic expressions. Integrating digital art with emerging technologies like AR, VR, and NFTs opens up new possibilities for artistic exploration and dissemination. Digital art techniques include digital Painting, vector art, and 3D modelling, facilitated by hardware such as graphics tablets and software such as Adobe Creative Cloud. Brushes, textures and plugins enhance the creative process, while photo manipulation and 3D sculpting provide new avenues for artistic expression. Digital artistry in India offers insights into cultural dynamism, technological innovation and artistic development. This research paper delves into the evolving landscape of digital artistry in India, exploring various techniques, trends, and the socio-cultural impact of digital art in the country.

Petrology and Provenance Study of Stone Artifacts from the Mesolithic Cave of Kouvaras in Attica: A Preliminary Report

ABSTRACT This paper focuses on the lithology and raw material provenance of stone artifacts discovered in the prehistoric cave of Kouvaras in Eastern Attica, dating back to the 10th-9th millennia B.C. The study aims to determine whether these prehistoric artifacts were made on local or non-local raw materials. The research consists of two main components: a field study to detect the geological features of the region and collect raw material samples, and a laboratory investigation using XRD, SEM and p-XRF techniques to conduct a petrological analysis. The results suggest that relying solely on chert chemistry to effectively determine the sources of chert artifacts is not a reliable method. By combining several analytical methods and taking a holistic approach, researchers can gain valuable insights into prehistoric human interactions with the local geological environment and the use of available natural resources to make artifacts in prehistoric times.

I study artefacts left in prehistoric caves.

I study artefacts left in prehistoric caves.

Cyanobacteria from Two Prehistoric Caves of India

Cyanobacteria from Two Prehistoric Caves of India

Improving the characterization of red coloring matter from prehistoric cave art by means of laboratory confocal XRF depth profiling combined with synchrotron XRF imaging

Chemical in situ study of red coloring matter in cave art is challenging because characteristic trace elements can be present both in the matter and in the wall support, and the latter has a quite heterogeneous composition.In this study, a stalactite presenting red iron oxide coloring matter from La Garma cave, Northern Spain, has been analyzed with complementary techniques. The aims are, on the one hand, confirming for the first time the feasibility of confocal XRF (CXRF) depth-resolved scans to successfully separate the complex stratigraphy of red prehistoric coloring matter on a calcitic support. On the other hand, finding differentiation criteria and improving the characterization of this red iron-based coloring matter would help understand and virtually separate it from its support, as well as improve future in situ analyses in cave sites.CXRF depth-resolved scans were performed using the LouX3D device available in our laboratory. With this technique, we can precisely determine the chemical depth composition of an object, layer by layer, with a spatial resolution in the micrometer scale. These measurements were combined with a synchrotron induced micro-X-ray fluorescence (SR-µXRF) chemical mapping performed at the PUMA beamline, SOLEIL synchrotron. These highly sensitive measurements not available with any other non-destructive lab-based technique allow seeing a greater number of trace and minor elements associated with Fe. Complementing them with the direct depth-resolved information given by CXRF, it was possible to find differentiation criteria distinguishing the wall support and the coloring matter, finely characterize this red iron-based matter, and confirm the feasibility as well as the advantages of applying CXRF for the non-invasive technical study of prehistoric cave figures.

Bacterial Communities on Degraded Prehistoric Rock Paintings in Maros-Pangkep Global Geopark

391 Bacterial Communities on Degraded Prehistoric Rock Paintings in Maros-Pangkep Global Geopark Nur Haedar1*, Muhammad Iqram1, Ambeng1, Yusriana2, Dody Priosambodo1, and Rustan Lebe3 1Biology Department, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Hasanuddin University, Makassar 90245 Indonesia 2Archaeology Department, Faculty of Cultural Science, Hasanuddin University, Makassar 90245 Indonesia 3Indonesian Heritage Agency, Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, Jakarta 10110 Indonesia The Maros-Pangkep karst region is a natural landscape located inside the UNESCO Global Geopark, extending across two regencies in South Sulawesi. There are at least 135 prehistoric caves, of which about 78 of them still have traces of relics in the form of rock paintings. One thing that has made this region renowned is the presence of the world’s oldest ancient rock painting, ca. 40,000 years old, in an ancient cave. Unfortunately, many paintings have been experiencing degradation marked by color changes and exfoliation, which are thought to be partially caused by the colonization of bacterial biofilms. The present study, therefore, aimed to delineate the bacterial diversity of biofilms present in ancient rock paintings. Samples were collected from three different caves in the region and analyzed using Oxford Nanopore Technology, sequencing the full-length 16S rRNA gene (V1–V9 regions). The results showed that Firmicutes was the dominant bacterial taxon in both Leang Jing and Leang Parewe, representing 95 and 82% of the total bacterial community, respectively. In Leang Bulu Sipong, we observed a high relative abundance of both Betaproteobacteria (30%) and Firmicutes (44%). Among the taxa detected, some genera – including Cupriavidus, Bacillus, Lysinibacillus, Paenibacillus, Geobacillus, and Pseudomonas – are linked to the carbonate precipitation and rock weathering, which could give a clue on the role of bacterial activities in corroborating the biodegradation on the ancient rock arts. Despite the result of microbial diversity in the rock paintings, it is necessary to do further study on the mechanism of degradation performed by the bacteria. This will support the effort of local authorities to conserve local heritage aged a thousand years.

Finger Fluting in Prehistoric Caves: A Critical Analysis of the Evidence for Children, Sexing and Tracing of Individuals

Finger flutings are channels drawn in soft sediments covering walls, floors and ceilings of some limestone caves in Europe and Australia and in some cases date as far back as 50,000 years ago. Initial research focused on why they were made, but more recently, as part of a growing interest in the individual in the past, researchers began asking questions about who made them. This shift in direction has led to claims that by measuring the width of flutings made with the three middle fingers of either hand, archaeologists can infer the ordinal age, sex and individuality of the ‘fluter’. These claims rest on a single dataset created in 2006. In this paper, we undertake the first critical analysis of that dataset and its concomitant methodologies. We argue that sample size, uneven distribution of sex and age within the sample, non-standardised medium, human variability, the lack of comparability between an experimental context and real cave environments and assumptions about demographic modelling effectively negate all previous claims. To sum, we find no substantial evidence for the claims that an age, sex and individual tracing can be revealed by measuring finger flutings as described by Sharpe and Van Gelder (Antiquity 80: 937-947, 2006a; Cambridge Archaeological Journal 16: 281–95, 2006b; Rock Art Research 23: 179–98, 2006c). As a case study, we discuss Koonalda Cave in southern Australia. Koonalda has the largest and most intact display of finger flutings in the world and is also part of a cultural landscape maintained and curated by Mirning people.

Pets in advertising or how to influence consumers?

Animals have always played an important role in the history of humanity. We only have to think of prehistoric cave paintings, or the relationship between our grandparents and animals, or recall the iconic films Alpha or Hachi, A Dog's Tale. However, it is important to note that the nature of the relationship between animals and humans has changed over time. Whereas in the past their relationship was mainly characterised by respect: maintaining their personal independence; nowadays this relationship has taken on a different dimension, as pets – in most families – live in the same household, receiving the same level of attention as the rest of the family. The primary objectives of this study are (1) to identify the product/service categories that are not targeted at dogs and pets, but they appear as the primary communicators in the promotion of the product or service, (2) to identify the characteristics that fundamentally define this type of advertising. Keywords: pets, advertisements, parameters, message

Alces alces and Rangifer tarandus in the Pleistocene of Bulgaria (Artiodactyla: Cervidae)

An analysis of the past geographical and altitudinal distribution of bone remains of the elk (Alces alces) and reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) in Bulgaria is given. The data from seven fossil localities (Early–Late Pleistocene) from four provinces in the country are presented. The fossil record in Bulgaria shows the wide distribution of both deer species in the plain and hilly landscapes in the Danubian Plain in northern Bulgaria. No record of the two species has been known from Bulgaria south of the Stara Planina Mts. The localities of both species are spread over 250–750 m a. s. l., but majority of the findings are located at 335–390 m a. s. l. of the open steppe habitats. All data originate from the prehistoric cave dwellings of the Paleolithic people.

Enigmatic Perforated Stone Disk and Grooved Stones from Three Caves Sites in Sumatra

Ground stone tools, especially perforated stone disks and grooved stones, are rarely discussed in Indonesian prehistory. In terms of its quantity and workmanship, these types of artifacts are fairly unique. They are often limited in quantity, which makes it difficult to compare with the other references. Moreover, their technological aspect still needs to be widely understood by academics. For the first time in Indonesia, this article will discuss perforated stone disks and grooved stones in the context of prehistoric cave sites in Sumatra. Through formal analysis of its attributes at medium to high magnification, we provide a reference for their technological aspects as well as the context of the artifact. Our study reveals that both types of artifacts appear to be closely related to the aquatic culture. The practical function of these artifacts is associated with a fishery tradition on the rivers inland. Our argument is corroborated by the remnants of aquatic fauna associated with these two types of artifacts. Apart from that, the perforated stone disks that were previously reported were found in the mainland of Southeast Asia and, in fact, also found in Sumatra. It further emphasizes the connection between the cultural entities of prehistoric populations that inhabited insular and mainland Southeast Asia.

First discovery of charcoal-based prehistoric cave art in Dordogne

Archaeologists have long been puzzled by the exact age of Paleolithic cave art in Europe especially in the Franco-Cantabrian region with hundreds of decorated caves because the creation of this parietal art (paintings, drawings and engravings) is closely tied to the appearance of first modern humans in Europe and their ways of life. The Dordogne region, one of the richest regions in terms of Paleolithic cave art in the world with more than 200 cave sites, is currently known to provide figures of cave art solely made with mineral coloring matters that cannot be dated directly. Using in-situ non-invasive Raman spectroscopy combined with portable X-ray fluorescence analysis as well as visible and infrared imaging of the decor of the Font-de-Gaume cave, we show the presence of a large number of charcoal-based Paleolithic figures besides others made of iron and manganese oxides in the main galleries for the first time. The creation periods of the cave art at Font-de-Gaume are mainly attributed to the Magdalenian period and probably more complicated constituted of at least two creation phases than commonly established as shown by the direct or partial superimposition of carbon-based and iron- and/or manganese-based figures. Our new results contribute to a better understanding of the organisation of the ornamentation and thus of the imaginary language of our Prehistoric ancestors. The discovery opens new research possibilities for re-reading of the complex panels and absolute radiocarbon dating.

Caves, Karst Features and Speleological Heritage in Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil

Chapada Diamantina is among the best known and most visited landscapes in Brazil. Located in the state of Bahia, Northeast region of the country, it is characterized by mountains and plateaus that developed on Proterozoic sedimentary and metasedimentary rocks. Much of its territory is covered by carbonate and siliciclastic rocks, where relevant karst systems develop, marked by the occurrence of sinking streams, sinkholes, and caves with a great diversity of morphologies, speleothems, subterranean fauna, and paleontological and archaeological records. Relevant carbonate systems occur in Iraquara, such as the Lapa Doce, Torrinha, and Pratinha caves, which represent important tourist attractions. Also in these rocks, stand out the Brejões Cave, with a 106-m high entrance, and the Toca da Boa Vista, the largest cave in South America, extending across 114 km. Cultural manifestations are present in the prehistoric cave paintings at Santa Marta Shelter and recent religious pilgrimages at Mangabeiras Cave, in Ituaçu. In turn, siliciclastic karst systems are mainly in Serra do Sincorá. The Lapão and Castelo caves have expressive speleogens and speleothems, as well as the Torras Cave, in the Igatu region, ranked as the second largest in Brazil considering siliciclastic rocks.

A Multimodal Research Approach to Assessing the Karst Structural Conditions of the Ceiling of a Cave with Palaeolithic Cave Art Paintings: Polychrome Hall at Altamira Cave (Spain).

Integrating geomatics remote sensing technologies, including 3D terrestrial laser scanning, unmanned aerial vehicles, and ground penetrating radar enables the generation of comprehensive 2D, 2.5D, and 3D documentation for caves and their surroundings. This study focuses on the Altamira Cave's karst system in Spain, resulting in a thorough 3D mapping encompassing both cave interior and exterior topography along with significant discontinuities and karst features in the vicinity. Crucially, GPR mapping confirms that primary vertical discontinuities extend from the near-surface (Upper Layer) to the base of the Polychrome layer housing prehistoric paintings. This discovery signifies direct interconnections helping with fluid exchange between the cave's interior and exterior, a groundbreaking revelation. Such fluid movement has profound implications for site conservation. The utilization of various GPR antennas corroborates the initial hypothesis regarding fluid exchanges and provides concrete proof of their occurrence. This study underscores the indispensability of integrated 3D mapping and GPR techniques for monitoring fluid dynamics within the cave. These tools are vital for safeguarding Altamira, a site of exceptional significance due to its invaluable prehistoric cave paintings.

Imaging hydrological dynamics in karst unsaturated zones by time-lapse electrical resistivity tomography

The hydrodynamics of karst terrain are highly complex due to the diverse fractures and reservoirs within limestone formations. The time delay between rainfall events and subsequent flow into reservoirs exhibits significant variability. However, these hydrological processes are not easily visualized in karst topography. Subsurface geophysics, specifically 2D time-lapse electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), provides an effective method for studying the relationships between hydrological and geophysical features. In our research, we adopted ERT in the Karst Critical Zone (KCZ) to visualize specific karstic zones, including cave galleries, water storage reservoirs, wetting fronts, soil layers, and potential preferential flow paths down to a depth of 20 m. To capture spatial and seasonal variations in resistivity, we presented a comprehensive approach by combining sixteen inversion models obtained between February 2020 and September 2022 above the Villars Cave in SW-France—a well-known prehistoric cave. We used a multi-dimensional statistical technique called Hierarchical Agglomerative Clustering (HAC) to create a composite model that divided the synthetic ERT image into eight clusters representing different karst critical zones. The ERT image clearly visualized the cave gallery with high resistivity values that remained consistent throughout the seasons. Our analysis revealed a close seasonal relationship between water excess and resistivity variations in most infiltration zones, with time delays increasing with depth. The karst reservoirs, located at significant depths compared to other clusters, displayed sensitivity to changes in water excess but were primarily affected by fluctuations in water conductivity, particularly during summer or dry periods. These findings have significant implications for predicting rainwater infiltration pathways into caves, thereby assisting in the conservation and preservation of prehistoric caves and their cultural heritage.

Development of Leangleang Ancient Park Area as a Leading Destination Based on Natural Tourism, Education and Special Interest

Leangleang Archaeological Park area in Maros Regency has prospective natural and cultural potential to be developed as a leading destination based on natural, educational, and special interest tourism. The problem is how to identify potential natural and cultural characteristics to be managed as tourist attractions. This study aims to identify natural and cultural characters and their management as potential to be developed into leading tourist destinations, through surveys and direct observations to describe unique, interesting, beautiful, and iconic natural and cultural characters. The results showed that the Leangleang Archaeological Park area consists of tower karst hills in which there are many prehistoric caves, various species of fauna and flora that are unique and endemic, beautiful natural scenery, and interesting community agricultural activities. Especially in prehistoric caves, there are unique and beautiful niches and cave ornaments, as well as remnants of prehistoric cultural heritage, such as the oldest hand-stamped painting in the world dating back 45,000 years. The development of these destinations must be managed by providing standard infrastructure that supports and actively involves the local community as part of a sustainable tourism industry.

Hear The Images Talk - Visual Literacy in The Face Of Today's World

The changing world of arts has its foundational pillars on 7 types art. They are Painting, sculpture, literature, film, theater, architecture, and the world of the mesmerizing music. Some of the Art Styles are Modern Art, Contemporary Art, Pop Art, typography, Still Life and Abstract Art. We have beautiful Art everywhere and the most prominent being the Visual Arts. We all love to chat using emoji, share memes, et up beautiful profile pictures and share "edited" photographs on social media and thus our ability to successfully do so indicates our catch on visual literacy skills. In simple word visual literacy is the ability to read, write and create images. We use these skills for thinking, understanding, visualizing, communicating and expressing our thoughts and ideas. The drawings on the prehistoric caves, the signs and symbols of the hieroglyphs, tells us how long of a process it has been. Considering the idea that visual images are a language, some authors consider visual literacy to be more of a metaphor, relating imagery interpretation to conventional literacy, than a teachable skill. A human being can develop these skills by seeing the imagery and at the same time having and integrating other sensory experiment. The development of these skills is fundamental to the normal human learning. It is remarkable that this field is credited with the development of educational programs that enhance students' abilities to interpret and create visual messages, as well as improvement of reading and writing skills through the use of visual imagery. In this paper we would see a broad overview of the concept of visual literacy, focusing on its interdisciplinary nature, learning how to develop visual literacy skills, promoting visual literacy and teaching these skills to children without them even realizing it!

Assessment of Severity of Water Pollution Near Kureepuzha Dump Yard

Pollution is the process of making land, water, air or other parts of the environment dirty and unsafe or unsuitable to use. This can be done through the introduction of contaminants into a natural environment, but the contaminant doesn't need to be tangible. Things as simple as light, sound and temperature can be considered pollutants when introduced artificially into an environment. Thus, pollution can take the form of chemical substances or energy, such as noise, heat or light. Pollutants, the components of pollution, can be either foreign substances/energies or naturally occurring contaminants. Pollution is often classed as point source or nonpoint source pollution. Pollution started from prehistoric times when man created the first fires. According to a 1983 article in the journal Science, "soot" found on ceilings of prehistoric caves provides ample evidence of the high levels of pollution that was associated with inadequate ventilation of open fires. It was the industrial revolution that gave birth to environmental pollution as we know it today. London also recorded one of the earlier extreme cases of water quality problems with the Great Stink on the Thames of 1858, which led to construction of the London sewerage system soon afterward. Pollution issues escalated as population growth far exceeded view ability of neighborhoods to handle their waste problem.

Research for the classification of volcanic caves in the Central Highlands

Volcanic caves in Central Highlands have been discovered since 2007. This is a volcanic cave system with the largest scale, length and uniqueness in Southeast Asia. The discovery has opened up many new research directions (specialised, interdisciplinary earth science and life science), with many scientific and technological projects at different levels... Since the volcanic cave system in the Central Highlands was discovered, there have not had any publications on the taxonomy of Vietnamese volcanic caves. In the practice of studying volcanic caves, there are many methodologies to classify caves depending on the purpose and requirements of use, such as origin, formation mechanism, distribution characteristics, morphology, or a mixture of the above classifications. In this study, the authors classified the Central Highlands volcanic caves according to the mixture of the above classifications and other uses, such as scientific caves, mass caves, prehistoric caves, adventure cave, etc.

Elbolton Cave: New Chronological Insights

For the first project in its “Dates in Drawers” programme, the Yorkshire Archaeological and Historical Society collaborated with the Craven Museum to obtain a radiocarbon date for one of the three crouched burials recovered from Elbolton Cave in the nineteenth century. The Early Neolithic date range that was obtained finds corroboration in the conclusions drawn from ongoing aDNA work on human remains from the cave, whilst a review of the pottery assemblage has found no unequivocal Early Neolithic material that might be associated with the burials. Although the archive from this excavation was lost long ago, the recent and ongoing research demonstrates that the finds from the cave are still able to make a significant contribution to the wider understanding of the chronology of prehistoric cave use in the Yorkshire Dales.