Tag Archives: Carved

Does This Carved Head Reflect the Hairstyle of Ancient Hunter-Gatherers?

Posted on by
Reply

Engraved face from the Amiens-Renancourt 1 site in France

Stephen Lancelot/In-Rap

Ancient miniature statues, dating back 27,000 years in northern France, may offer insights into how hunter-gatherers styled their hair.

Discovered in 2021 at the Amien Lannancoeur 1 site, located about 140 kilometers north of Paris, the findings have only recently been reported by researchers.

The statues feature long hair styled in a braided grid pattern, indicative of hair nets and intricate hairstyles. This contrasts with figures from Central and Eastern Europe, where hairstyles tend to be shorter and cover the head more extensively, according to Olivier Touse from the University of Liege, Belgium, who was not part of the research team.

The distinct hairstyles seen in these statuettes may represent local fashion trends. “This could highlight cultural specifics that are rarely expressed outside of these unique human portrayals,” states team member Clement Paris from the National Institute of Preventive Archaeology in France.

Radiocarbon dating of the Amiens-Renancourt 1 rock formations indicates that the figurine is approximately 27,000 years old, belonging to the Greybettian era, which spanned from 33,000 to 26,000 years ago across Europe. Following this period, the population of hunter-gatherers left northwest Europe for nearly 10,000 years due to the extreme cold and arid conditions of the last glacial maximum, explains Touzé.

“The elaborate hairstyles and decorative elements underscore the care put into crafting this statue,” remarks Gregory Abrams from the University of Ghent, Belgium, who was not involved in the study.

The excavation site also revealed various scrap fragments and over a dozen additional figurines, including Venus statuettes representing women. “This indicates active production of figurines at the site,” notes Touse.

Nevertheless, the significance of the statue remains elusive. “Prehistoric beliefs and myths leave scant evidence,” points out Paris. “Even when such statues are found, their meanings are often enigmatic.”

Neanderthals, ancient humans, cave art: France

Join new scientist Kate Douglas on a captivating journey through time as she uncovers the prominent Neanderthal and Upper Paleolithic sites of southern France, spanning from Bordeaux to Montpellier.

Topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Carved Head Suggests Hair Trends of Ancient Hunter-Gatherers

Posted on by
Reply
SEI 265224007

Engraved face from the French Amien Lannancourt 1 site

Stephen Lancelot/In-Rap

Miniature sculptures estimated to be 27,000 years old from northern France may offer insights into how ancient hunter-gatherers styled their hair.

The figurine was unearthed in 2021 from a site known as Amien Lannancoeur 1, located roughly 140 kilometers north of Paris, and has recently been analyzed by researchers.

Notably, the long hair appears to be braided in a grid pattern, possibly representing hair nets or distinct hairstyles. This contrasts with figures found in Central and Eastern Europe, where hairdos are typically short and cover the majority of the head, according to Olivier Touse from the University of Liège, Belgium, who did not participate in the study.

The statuette’s distinctive hairstyles may indicate the period and local fashion trends. “This might represent a cultural uniqueness that would not have been highlighted without these scarce human representations,” states team member Clement Paris from the National Institute of Preventive Archaeology in France.

Radiocarbon dating of the rock layers at Amiens-Renancourt 1 indicates that the sculpted figure dates back to approximately 27,000 years ago and belongs to the Greybettian period, which spanned from 33,000 to 26,000 years ago across Europe. Following this era, the hunter-gatherer population vacated Northwest Europe for nearly 10,000 years due to the severe cold and arid conditions of the last Ice Age’s peak, notes Touzé.

“The intricate decoration and well-defined hairstyles underline the attention devoted to the craftsmanship of this statue,” remarks Gregory Abrams at the University of Ghent, Belgium, who was not involved in the study.

Other excavations at the site have uncovered several small fragments and over a dozen additional figurines, including Venus figurines that depict women. “This site has historical significance regarding sculptural production,” states Touse.

Yet, questions linger about what these figurines reveal about their creators. “Prehistoric thoughts and myths leave minimal evidence,” comments Paris. “And even when these statues provide insight, their significance remains obscure.”

Topics:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Before the Great Wall: Chinese Rulers Carved Shallow Grooves

Posted on by
Reply

Excavation of Mongolia’s medieval wall system by archaeologists

Gideon Shelach-Lavi et al. 2025

Long before the construction of the Great Wall of China, other significant walls were erected on the Eurasian steppes, not with the intent of safeguarding the Mongolian army. Recent diggings indicate that they were established to regulate movement and to showcase power, similar to modern boundary walls.

The Great Wall of China spans thousands of kilometers, with its longest segment measuring approximately 8,850 kilometers. This section originates from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD) and served as a physical barrier against Mongol incursions.

In contrast to large fortifications, the earlier systems consist of a network of trenches, walls, and enclosures approximately 4,000 km wide across northern China, Mongolia, and Russia.

This infrastructure was developed between the 10th and 12th centuries by various dynasties, primarily the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234 AD). It was primarily constructed by the people of Siberia and the Zurchen from northeastern China, who were herders.

Gideon Shelach-Lavi from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, along with his team, has utilized satellite imagery and drones to explore and map these ancient walls. They are now investigating a 405 km section excavated in Mongolia, including one of the enclosures.

The structure features a trench about 1 meter deep and 3 meters wide, with the earth piled on one side, forming a compact earth wall that stands 1-2 meters tall. At intervals, a thick square stone enclosure approximately 30 meters wide was added along the wall.

The purpose of these walls is still unclear, as historical records are scarce, and they were not built at natural geographical divides, according to Shelach-Lavi.

Many historians believed they were constructed to thwart Genghis Khan’s army, which reigned over the Mongol Empire from 1206 to 1227. However, Sherach Ravi asserts that these structures would not have been particularly effective for defense. “They were not designed to repel military invasions,” he states.

Instead, he theorizes that the walls were primarily a demonstration of power — showing that the region was under the control of the Jin Dynasty. The walls allowed for the regulation of people through the enclosure gates, managing the flow of people, goods, and animals. He suggests that even though they may not have stopped armies, the walls might have been effective in preventing smaller attacks.

“The objective seems to be guiding individuals towards these enclosures, allowing for control and taxation,” he explains. “It’s all about monitoring movement, which is not so different from what we observe today.”

The findings at the enclosure also illuminate the lifestyle of the inhabitants. “This is a picturesque area,” remarks Sherach Ravi. “We have uncovered extensive evidence of livestock grazing, hunting, and fishing.”

Moreover, within the enclosure, researchers discovered stone platforms or benches that could have served as stoves or beds for the Han Chinese during the Song Dynasty, who were in conflict with the Jin Dynasty.

This suggests that significant resources went into building and maintaining garrisons, indicating that people lived there year-round and engaged in agriculture. “This is remarkable, as even today, farming activities are minimal in this region,” he notes.

Topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

New Insights into Paleolithic Fishing Techniques Revealed by Ancient Carved Shield from 15,800 Years Ago

Posted on by
Reply

Scientists from the Leibniz Center for Archaeology and Durham University conducted a study on a collection of 406 carved schist tablets discovered at the Magdalenian site in Gennersdorf, Germany. These ancient carvings depict fishing techniques and tools used by Paleolithic people, showcasing nets with interlaced diamond and square mesh. This provides valuable insight into the transformation of their culture.

Placket 341 from the Magdalenian ruins of Gennersdorf, Germany. Image credit: Robitaille others., doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0311302.

“Prehistoric fisheries introduced a variety of techniques and strategies for capturing fish. It can be summarized as active fishing, which requires active fishing, passive fishing with trapping methods, or a combination of both,” said Dr. Jérôme Robitaille of the Leibniz Center for Archaeology and colleagues.

“Some methods have been developed for individual fishing, such as fishing, while others have been improved to maximize yields using collective nets and traps.”

“The choice of a particular method was influenced not only by the fish species targeted, but also by the distinct habitats and topography in which particular aquatic resources thrive.”

“Evidence for fishing in the Upper Paleolithic (20,000 to 14,500 years ago) is not abundant, but there is direct and indirect evidence of several fishing methods, including barbed tips and harpoons, bows and arrows, traps, and fishing nets. exists sporadically.”

In their study, the authors analyzed carvings carved into 406 schist plaquettes from the Magdalena site in Gennersdorf, on the north bank of the Rhine River in central-western Germany.

These plaquettes feature a unique artistic style and iconographic theme depicting both terrestrial and aquatic animals and humans.

The new imaging technique allowed researchers to see intricate carvings on the fish, with grid patterns interpreted as depictions of fishing nets or traps.

This discovery suggests that fishing may have had symbolic meaning in the Upper Paleolithic.

These expand the known repertoire of Ice Age art and provide surprising insights into the symbolic and social practices of early hunter-gatherer societies.

“A comparative analysis including other sites from the same period, such as Altamira and Lascaux, highlights Gennersdorf’s contribution to the understanding of Paleolithic art and survival strategies,” the scientists concluded.

“Unlike famous locations known for their vivid depictions of fish, Gennersdorf’s abstract, minimalist style offers a fresh perspective on the sociocultural dynamics of the Magdalene community.”

“Net fishing, which originates from a wide range of economies, reveals the diversity, adaptability, and creativity of prehistoric communities, and their proficiency in utilizing a variety of fishing methods to sustainably exploit aquatic resources.”

“This research not only increases our understanding of the diverse survival strategies of Paleolithic societies, but also contributes to a broader discussion about the complexity and richness of their cultural practices.”

“By highlighting often overlooked aspects of fishing practices and the representation of those practices in art, our research adds to a more comprehensive and dynamic picture of Upper Paleolithic subsistence and contributes to the field. opens new avenues for future research in the field. “

“Clearly fishing plays a more important role in shaping social and cultural practices than hitherto recognized, as evidenced by population patterns around rich fishing grounds, and is therefore a subject worthy of further investigation.” It is.”

of study Published in an online journal PLoS ONE.

J. Robitaille others. 2024. Upper Paleolithic fishing techniques: Insights from carved plates from the Magdalenian site of Gennersdorf, Germany. PLoS ONE 19 (11): e0311302;doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0311302

Source: www.sci.news