agroworth

Showing posts with label cave. Show all posts

Mammoths, Bison, and Rhinos: Hidden Prehistoric Masterpieces of French Cave Art Revealed

categories: animals, archaeology, cave, culture, wildlife

Hundreds of depictions of ancient creatures and females adorn the walls of a cavern in southwestern France. Each year, for four weeks, scientists are granted access to document this site.

In the depths of a winding cave located in southwestern France, early humans from approximately 30,000 years ago etched images of horses, mammoths, and rhinoceroses onto the walls, revealing an extraordinary collection of Ice Age creatures seldom witnessed before this point.

Found in 2000 by an amateur spelunker, the Grotte de Cussac located within the Dordogne region houses old human remains, remnants of extinct bears, along with delicate and remarkable artwork which those who protect this site strive diligently to safeguard.

Usually, the French authorities limit entry to the cave for researchers, who are permitted to access it only during a four-week period each year.

Are you curious about the most significant issues and global trends? Find out more here. SCMP Knowledge Our latest platform features handpicked content including explainers, FAQs, analyses, and infographics, all provided by our acclaimed team.

The authorities are eager to prevent a recurrence of the damage inflicted on France. Lascaux caves By microorganisms carried in by visitors.

The Lascaux caves, situated in Dordogne as well, have artworks believed to be several millennia more recent than those found at Cussac. They were shut off from the public in 1963 to preserve their valuable murals.

The Cussac cave is accessed via a narrow passage through boulders that have closed off its inner chambers for thousands of years.

Guided by the beams from their headlamps, tourists traverse expansive caverns filled with stalactites and stalagmites, treading the same slender route as Marc Delluc, the late amateur spelunker who unearthed this grotto in September 2000.

In 2017, Delluc passed away after noticing an air current emanating from the crevices in the stones. He navigated through the limestone and discovered a pathway approximately 100 meters (110 yards) long that led to the carvings.

It was likely sealed shortly after being inhabited, thereby safeguarding the soil and remnants within.

Emeline Deneuve from the cultural affairs division of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region

He recounted the "surge of excitement" he experienced upon spotting the curved shapes and outlines etched into the stone above him.

He mentioned how he recognized the privilege bestowed upon him, allowing access to a site sanctified since antiquity.

The cave, extending for 1.6 kilometers (1 mile), features over 1,000 carvings of various creatures and abstract female shapes.

Researchers have determined their age to be between 26,000 and 35,000 years old, corresponding to the era of the ancient Gravettian culture in Europe.

The Grotte de Cussac stands out due to its excellent preservation. It likely became sealed shortly after being inhabited, thus safeguarding the contents within from disturbance,” stated Emeline Deneuve, who leads heritage conservation efforts at the cultural affairs division of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region’s government.

Scratch marks and indications of digging suggest that it was also utilized by cave bears, which were prehistoric ancestors of the brown bear.

Within their cryopreservation pods, scientists discovered the remnants of six human bodies, which date back to the same era as the carvings.

According to Jacques Jaubert, the site’s lead archaeologist, this is the sole known instance where a cave was utilized by ancient humans for both interments and artwork.

He stated that the location served as a "safe haven" rather than a place of residence. The collective chose to live outdoors, either in exposed areas or beneath rock formations for shelter.

Jaubert believes the cave might have served as a site for initiation rituals, "a transition ceremony for teenagers to enter adulthood," which is a custom frequently seen among early hunter-gatherer communities.

He mentioned that it would also be viewed as "a transitional space between the realm of the living and the domain of the deceased".

The carvings, referred to as "pieces of folklore" by him, were created using materials like flint, wood, and bone.

They portray bison, ibex, geese, and various other creatures, along with women who are frequently shown with oversized heads and minuscule feet.

"Following the examination of the cave’s walls, where he left marks using his fingertips, the artist etched initial depictions of animals. These were later supplemented with additional layers of images," explained researcher Valerie Feruglio, who employs 3D imaging techniques to analyze these works of art, aiming to unravel their narratives.

The cave remains unexplored to this day.

However, the authorities are very careful about safeguarding the location, designated as a historic monument back in 2002.

"Deneuve, who leads conservation efforts, stated, 'We are the custodians tasked with safeguarding and recording this site,' " he mentioned.

We back the research conducted there, provided it aligns with conservation and heritage standards. Our aim also includes documenting the cave and creating a 3D digital version to make it accessible to everyone.

In October, a complimentary exhibition showcasing the cave was unveiled in Buisson-de-Cadouin, a commune located in France’s Dordogne region, featuring replicas of its artistic wonders.

However, officials state that there are currently no intentions to make the cave accessible to the general public.

The Hidden Wonder Beneath London: A Modest Car Park Conceals a Massive 22-Mile Cave System

categories: cave, caving

On the outskirts of London Beneath an inconspicuous car park hides an astounding 22-mile cave system that remains unknown to many.

The Chislehurst Caves located in the southeastern district of Bromley were completely created by humans, originally functioning as chalk and flint mines several centuries back.

The mining activities ceased in the 1900s, after which the maze-like network was made accessible to visitors for guided tours.

In World War One, it served as a site for storing ammunition. Later, during the 1920s and '30s, mushrooms were cultivated there. During World War Two, when the capital endured bombing raids known as the Blitz, this location transformed into an enormous bomb shelter, protecting approximately 15,000 individuals. German bombing.

In recent times, it has welcomed famous musicians, including David Bowie, who performed within its tunnels.

What is the age of these caves?

The precise age of these caves remains uncertain. In the early 1900s, William Nichols, who was the vice president of the British Archaeological Association at the time, proposed that they might have been constructed by the Druids, Romans, and Saxons.

This assertion has since been challenged and is now considered improbable.

The first reference to the mines, along with the lime-burningkilns that utilized chalk, appears in an 9th-century charter. These were noted once more in 1232.

In the meantime, the oldest recorded proof of a chalk mine dates back to 1737, and it is believed that the caves were predominantly used and expanded during the 18th and 19th centuries.

In their last decades of operation, the caves were utilized for lime production, eventually shutting down sometime around the 1860s.

Latest London news

I'm paying £1,250 for my Acton flat—but an obscure program allows me to own it outright in just three years.

The modest London car park conceals an extensive 22-mile system of caverns beneath its surface.

Top London Beer Halls and Festivities for Enjoying Oktoberfest 2024

For the most recent updates from the capital, check out aynur1015.blogspot.com.co.uk. London news hub .

During World War II, Chislehurst Caves underwent significant use.

During the Blitz when London faced attacks, the caves underwent cleaning and were equipped with amenities such as electricity, a hospital facility, numerous beds, multiple canteens, and even a cinema.

Each evening at 7 pm, the caves were opened for visitors, where adults paid sixpence and children paid threepence weekly to reside in what became known as the Chislehurst Hotel.

Frequent patrons often had their favorite spots which they'd decorate as much as possible, whereas those who visited infrequently settled for whatever space remained available.

As thousands took refuge in the caves amid the bombings, the toilet facilities frequently got overstretched.

To address the problem, attendees were requested to use personal containers during nighttime visits. However, this solution introduced new issues like accidental knockovers after the lights had been turned off.

A single mother bore her child within the caverns, and following the advice of the attending midwife, she christened the baby Cavena.

Which musicians performed at the caves?

From the 1950s through the 1980s, Chislehurst Caves served as a renowned music venue. The iconic guitarist Jimi Hendrix took the stage there two occasions, and David Bowie graced the location with his presence four times.

According to HistoryHit.com, Pink Floyd and the Rolling Stones have also organized performances within the caves, while Led Zeppelin hosted a record release event there.

The venue was likewise rented out for various non-musical occasions like birthdays.

Has television and film showcased these caves?

The caves have been showcased in television and movies. In 1972, they appeared in an episode of "Doctor Who" called "The Mutants." Additionally, Bill Oddie highlighted them in 2005 as part of the "Seven Natural Wonders" series focused on London’s marvels. The caves also made appearances in two installments of the paranormal investigation program "Most Haunted."

They also show up in British movies like "Beat Girl" (1960), "The Tribe" (1998), and "Inseminoid" (1981).

Is it possible to explore the caves today?

The caves are accessible to the public; however, those wishing to venture inside must participate in lamp-lit guided tours.

Departures occur every hour, with each tour lasting approximately 45-50 minutes. Tickets can be reserved online or purchased on the same day at the ticket office.

The caves are accessible from Wednesday through Sunday, as well as on Bank Holidays (excluding Christmas and New Year), and they are open daily during this time. local school holidays .

Tickets cost £8 for regular adult entry and £6 for seniors aged 60 plus as well as children between 3 and 15 years old. Children under 3 enter for free.

Mystery Unveiled: Ancient Pearls Discovered in Cave for First Time Ever

categories: archaeology, cave, caving, culture, history

A one-of-a-kind assembly of 'pearl caverns' housing archaeological relics has been discovered within an old passageway.

The pearls belong to the category of 'speleothems' – these are mineral formations found in caves that result from flowing water.

In contrast to widely recognized formations like stalactites and stalagmites, cave pearls typically have a round form and usually aren’t attached to floors, walls, or ceilings.

Typically narrower than 30 centimeters, these formations occur in small puddles within limestone caverns. They develop as layers of calcite accumulate around a central core, frequently consisting of a rock shard or clump of dirt.

A recent study in Archaeometry reveals that researchers discovered 50 cave pearls within an ancient passageway located in the Jerusalem Hills. Israel .

The most thrilling aspect of this discovery is that 14 out of the collected pearls include cores made from pottery fragments—two of these seem to originate from ceramic lamps—while two more pearls have cores composed of plaster material.

For the first time, researchers have recorded discovering archaeological items within cave pearls, as stated in the study.

'Till the present investigation, cave pearls had not been discovered within an archaeological setting or utilized for such studies,' stated the researchers who conducted the study.

The team discovered the cave pearls whilst exploring the Jwoeizeh spring tunnel in the Jerusalem Hills, according to reports. Newsweek.

A spring tunnel is an old artificial structure created to access water from perched aquifers (an underground layer of rock that holds water).

The southern Levant features one of the most extended and ancient spring systems in the region, believed to originate from the early 7th to the 8th centuries BCE.

It could have been part of a regal residence.

The research team was not looking for cave pearls when they stumbled upon an entrance to a concealed part of the tunnel during their exploration in 2017.

In this section, approximately 23 feet in length and filled with dirt and rubble, they discovered the pearls along with an undamaged oil lamp believed to be from the 3rd-4th centuries AD.

The majority of these pottery fragments have been traced back to either the Hellenistic era (333-63 BC), or the subsequent Roman through Byzantine times, spanning from 63 BC up to the seventh century AD.

In the meantime, the plaster samples were determined to date back to approximately the Hellenistic era.

However, one of the pottery samples is believed to be even more ancient, potentially originating from the Persian period (535-333 BC), the Babylonian era (586-535 BC), or perhaps as far back as the Iron Age.

The research indicates that the tunnels were renovated during the Hellenistic era, utilizing oil lamps for illumination.

However, they also offer proof regarding the tunnels' beginnings.

The primary researcher, Azriel Yechezkel, who works at the Institute of Archaeology located at Tel Aviv University, shared this information with Newsweek 'Our study reinforces our belief that the tunnel was initially built during the Iron Age [approximately the 8-7th centuries B.C.].'

'Additionally, this offers the initial analytical dating of artifacts discovered within the pearls... indicating that the tunnel underwent a reconstruction phase during the Hellenistic period.'

Contact our news team by sending an email to webnews@aynur1015.blogspot.com.co.uk .

To find similar tales, check our news page .

Be among those who know what everyone is discussing by subscribing to aynur1015.blogspot.com's News Updates newsletter for the latest stories.

First Glimpse of Ancient Humans Found in Massive Lava Tube Cave

categories: archaeologists, archaeology, cave, culture, history

Researchers have discovered an abundance of proof indicating that people once inhabited a cave in Saudi Arabia created by lava flow, illuminating the captivating past of human existence in the area.

The discoveries recorded by the international team of researchers include rock art and animal bones, revealing both how people used the cave network and what their diets were made up of while they were there.

The age of these discoveries suggests that the cave, known as Umm Jirsan, was consistently utilized as a living space starting around 10,000 years ago, during the Neolithic for at least 7,000 years, potentially extending back into the Bronze Age.

Although subterranean sites hold global importance in archaeological studies, Quaternary science our research marks the first thorough investigation of this nature in Saudi Arabia, says Archaeologist Michael Petraglia, who works at Griffith University in Australia.

Specialists have previously documented findings at Umm Jirsan, where they discovered a few scattered human bones amidst an immense collection of animal remains believed to have accumulated there. by scavenging hyenas In this study, the researchers concentrated on human activities within the cave, which extends for 1.5 kilometers (nearly a mile).

In this recent study, remnants of fabric, crafted wooden elements, incomplete stonework constructions, and shards of rocks potentially utilized as tools were discovered at the site. lava tube Along with additional animal remains, some of these findings were discovered within spoil heaps, whereas others were unearthed from a pit.

Even though the researchers are reluctant to label the stone fragments as 'tools,' their consistent forms indicate that these were intentionally created and might have served as scrapers.

A study of the human remains discovered by the team's previous investigation suggests that they sustained themselves on a high-protein diet for thousands of years, showing a gradual rise in their intake of proteins. certain types of plant associated with oasis settlements.

These discoveries add to earlier research proposing that these caves offered shelter to animal herders escaping the harsh desert climate as they traveled between oases, potentially facilitating interactions and trade of goods.

The discoveries at Umm Jirsan offer a unique window into the past of Arabian civilizations, highlighting successive periods of habitation and illuminating the pastoral practices that were prevalent in this region long ago, says Archaeologist Mathew Stewart, who hails from Griffith University.

The recently discovered carvings etched into the rocks near Umm Jirsan show images of animals such as cows, goats, and sheep in what appears to be pastoral settings along with depictions of humans. This reinforces the theory that these cave systems were utilized by animal herders.

Caves such as Umm Jirsan can be goldmines of material For archaeologists, these containers offer protection against wind, intense sunlight, and other types of erosion – conditions which tend to be quite severe in this region.

These discoveries highlight the significant opportunities for cross-disciplinary research in caves and lava tubes, providing an exceptional glimpse into Arabia’s distant history, says Petraglia.

The study has been released in PLOS ONE .