You're Dead to Me Palaeolithic Cave Art
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Aug 30, 2024 
In this entertaining discussion, Dr. Isobel Wisher, a postdoctoral researcher specializing in Upper Paleolithic cave art, teams up with comedian Seán Burke, known for his sharp wit and performances at the Edinburgh Fringe. They explore the stunning world of Paleolithic cave art, revealing how our ancestors expressed creativity and culture through intricate paintings and carvings. Tune in as they delve into the scientific techniques uncovering these ancient secrets and the surprising contributions of children to artistic expression, all while keeping the conversation light and humorous.
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Paleolithic Periods and Cave Art Origins
- The Paleolithic period, spanning 3.3 million to 12,000 years ago, is divided into Lower, Middle, and Upper phases.
- Most cave art originates from the Upper Paleolithic (50,000-12,000 years ago), marked by Homo sapiens' arrival in Europe and Neanderthals' decline.
Geographic Spread of Cave Art
- Cave art exists across Europe, as far north as Creswell Crags, Derbyshire, due to the last glacial maximum.
- Creswell Crags' art, dating to 13,000 years ago, marks human migration north following retreating ice sheets.
Oldest Representational Painting
- The oldest known representational painting, a warty pig, was found in Sulawesi, Indonesia, dating back 45,500 years.
- This discovery suggests humans may have created art before migrating from Africa.