Archaeologists have found mysterious letters 15 thousand years old

Archaeologists have found mysterious letters 15 thousand years old
Archaeologists have found mysterious letters 15 thousand years old
Anonim

In Spain, archaeologists, while conducting research in a cave, discovered a Paleolithic sanctuary, which is about 15 thousand years old. Its walls are decorated not only with traditional images of animals, but also with mysterious symbols.

According to the Archeology News Network, the find was made near the small town of Espluga de Francoli in southern Catalonia. Archaeologists stumbled upon an ancient sanctuary last October. Since then, they have discovered and described more than 100 engravings that cover its walls.

Their age is about 15 thousand years. They are reported to be the oldest examples of prehistoric art ever found in Catalonia. The researchers themselves call their find "exceptional" and "unprecedented".

"It was an accidental, extraordinary and unexpected discovery," admits Josep Maria Verges, director of the Font Major research project. "We found something quite different from what we were looking for."

Researchers believe that there were many more cave paintings initially. However, this cave has spent a lot of time under water. Erosion probably destroyed some of the ancient works.

Slightly more than 40 drawings found in the cave are images of animals such as deer, horses and bulls, traditional for Paleolithic people. About 60 engravings turned out to be a mystery to scientists. They represent some symbols, which researchers are still cautious about calling abstract signs.

Analysis of these symbols showed that some of them could have been painted on the walls even before the appearance of the sanctuary, that is, their age may exceed 15 thousand years. In the near future, scientists plan to create 3D images of rock paintings; a scanner is already being used inside the cave.

This will allow for a detailed scientific analysis, and will also preserve invaluable information for scientists, because erosion continues to erase ancient drawings. In addition, 3D technology will help you understand what the Paleolithic sanctuary originally looked like.

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