The Discovery of Ice Age Art

In the 1990s, a team of researchers from the University of Cambridge made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of Ice Age art. Led by Dr. Christopher Evans, the team was excavating a site in the French Alps, where they uncovered a series of slate slabs bearing intricate engravings of fish.

The Slate Slabs

The slate slabs, which date back to the Upper Paleolithic period, approximately 40,000 years ago, were found in a cave system in the French Alps. The engravings on the slabs are remarkably detailed, with some featuring up to 20 fish per slab.

The site is located in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.

The Discovery and Significance of Neuwied-Gönnersdorf

The Neuwied-Gönnersdorf site was discovered in 1978 by a German archaeologist, Dr. Hans-Joachim Witt. The site is significant not only for its well-preserved images but also for providing insights into the lives of early humans during the late Ice Age.

The Images on the Slate Slabs

The slate slabs at Neuwied-Gönnersdorf feature images of various prey, including wild horses, deer, and other animals. These images are remarkably well-preserved, with some of the details still visible today.

The Discovery of the Severn Magnet Fisher Drags

The Severn Magnet Fisher Drags is a remarkable archaeological site located in the Severn Valley, England. This site has yielded a treasure trove of artifacts that have shed new light on the lives of our ancient ancestors.

The Origins of Gönnersdorf Engravings

The Gönnersdorf engravings are a series of ancient engravings discovered in the 19th century in the town of Gönnersdorf, Germany. These engravings are significant not only because of their age but also because they depict the earliest known forms of fishing in Europe. The engravings are believed to have been created between 5000 and 4000 BCE, during the Neolithic period.

The Significance of the Engravings

The Gönnersdorf engravings are a crucial part of our understanding of prehistoric fishing practices in Europe.

The Origins of Fish Engravings

The discovery of fish engravings on slate slabs has provided valuable insights into the lives of Ice Age hunters and gatherers. These engravings, which date back to the Mesolithic period, have been found in various parts of Europe, including the UK, France, and Germany. The presence of fish engravings on these slabs suggests that fishing was an integral part of the daily lives of these early humans. The fish engravings depict a variety of fish species, including salmon, trout, and eel. The engravings are often accompanied by other symbols, such as birds, animals, and abstract shapes. The use of fish engravings on slate slabs is thought to have been a form of communication, possibly used to convey information about the location of fishing spots or to record catches.

The Significance of Slate Slabs

The slate slabs on which the fish engravings are found are significant in their own right. These slabs, which date back to the Mesolithic period, were used by Ice Age hunters and gatherers for a variety of purposes. Some of the uses of slate slabs include:

The Interdisciplinary Cooperation Project

The investigation into the significance of fish engravings and slate slabs is the result of an interdisciplinary cooperation project between Durham University and MONREPOS.

Top image: A slate slab from the Stone Age site of Gönnersdorf shows a fish trap. Source: © Robitaille et al., 2024/PLOS ONE