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Are hand stencils in European cave art older than we think? An evaluation of the existing data and their potential implications

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Resumo:Since their discovery at the turn of the 20th century, hand stencils and prints have usually been assumed to belong largely, or entirely to the Mid Upper Palaeolithic (Gravettian sensu lato). These assumptions – rarely backed up by stringent consideration of chronometric data – derive from the pioneering chronological schemes of Breuil and Leroi-Gourhan. Here, we compile an exhaustive list of European Upper Palaeolithic caves which contain stencils and prints, and critically assess the available chronometric data. We conclude that in all or almost all known cases they are probably older, belonging to the Early or Initial Upper Palaeolithic, and for some examples one cannot rule out an older date.
Autores principais:Pettitt, Paul
Outros Autores:Arias, Pablo; García-Diez, Marcos; Hoffmann, Dirk L.; Maximiano Castillejo, Alfredo; Ontañon-Peredo, Roberto; Pike, Alistair W. G.; Zilhão, João
Assunto:Upper Palaeolithic Cave art Aurignacian Gravettian Chronometry Hand stencils
Ano:2015
País:Portugal
Tipo de documento:capítulo de livro
Tipo de acesso:acesso aberto
Instituição associada:Universidade de Lisboa
Idioma:inglês
Origem:Repositório da Universidade de Lisboa
Descrição
Resumo:Since their discovery at the turn of the 20th century, hand stencils and prints have usually been assumed to belong largely, or entirely to the Mid Upper Palaeolithic (Gravettian sensu lato). These assumptions – rarely backed up by stringent consideration of chronometric data – derive from the pioneering chronological schemes of Breuil and Leroi-Gourhan. Here, we compile an exhaustive list of European Upper Palaeolithic caves which contain stencils and prints, and critically assess the available chronometric data. We conclude that in all or almost all known cases they are probably older, belonging to the Early or Initial Upper Palaeolithic, and for some examples one cannot rule out an older date.