Research
A natural varnish was discovered on 37,000-year-old horse paintings in Chauvet Cave using ultraviolet light
Earth.com · By Adrian Villellas ·
The Brief
- Researchers found a natural varnish on horse paintings in Chauvet Cave, in the Ardèche gorge of southern France.
- The discovery was made using ultraviolet light.
- The horses were drawn in charcoal about 37,000 years ago, according to the source.
Why it matters
The finding adds detail about how Palaeolithic cave paintings have changed over time and what natural processes have shaped them, which matters for conservation and dating work.
- #cave-art
- #archaeology
- #palaeolithic
- #chauvet-cave
- #ultraviolet-imaging
In Chauvet Cave, in the Ardèche gorge of southern France, researchers set up a tripod on the steel walkway in the Hillaire Chamber and ran a carbon fiber pole out toward the Horses Panel. Artists drew those horses in charcoal about 37,000 years ago. A lens at the pole’s tip sat 2…