Does the Lascaux Shaft Scene document a cosmic impact in the Late Middle Magdalenian?
The Lascaux shaft scene is perhaps the most iconic of all European Palaeolithic cave artworks (see below). It shows a bison and human, apparently both dying and normally interpreted as a hunting scene. But we now expect that, very likely, the animal symbols here represent constellations, and the Shaft Scene in particular probably represents a date using precession of the equinoxes.
Copy of the Lascaux Shat Scene, courtesy of Alistair Coombs
Using the zodiacal method and our ancient zodiac, the date 'written' in the scene is between 15,300 and 15,000 BC (see Prehistory Decoded). The similarity of this scene to Pillar 43 at Gobekli Tepe suggests it documents another asteroid or comet strike, this time from the direction of Capricornus (represented by the aurochs). It so happens that the Taurid meteor stream would likely rave radiated from this direction at this time, suggesting this artwork memorialises another strike from the Taurid system. Given the presence of a giant comet in the inner solar system at this time, such frequent impacts are expected.
Very interestingly, this time span also corresponds to a sudden temperature fluctuation in the North Atlantic region (see Prehistory Decoded), documented by a Greenland ice core, and to a significant population bottleneck in southern France at this time, during the Late Middle Magdalenian (LMM) period.
The Magdalenian culture occupied Norther Spain and Southern France for around 6,000 years, until around 13,000 BC (note, this time-span equals one entire cycle of apsidal precession of the Taurid meteor stream). It is generally accepted to be divided into three sub-phases; Lower, Middle and Upper. The archaeological record documents these cultural transitions. Indeed, the best radiocarbon data available has been used to model these transitions. The figure at the top of this page shows the main result. It is the Late Middle Magdalenian (LMM) period that concerns us.
Apparently, although there is continuity in the population of northern Spain during this period, we see a major depopulation in Aquitaine, Southern France. The figure below, from the same paper, shows a clear gap in population, lasting nearly 2,000 years, in this region (indicated by the red oval, beginning around 17,300 BP (or around 15,300 BC, calibrated). Very interestingly, the Lascaux Cave system is found in this very region. Therefore, we can interpret the Lascuax Shaft Scene as a witness account of what happened at this time - another cosmic impact with the Taurid meteor stream.
Note also the similarity of the Lascaux Shaft Scene with Pillar 43 at Gobekli Tepe. They both involve four main animal symbols (aurochs, rhino, bird and horse on the rear wall at Lascaux) together with a dying man. Perhaps this was the established method for depicting and dating a cosmic impact?
Radiocarbon chronology showing a major depopulation event in Aquitaine (blue data), from around 15,300 BC (calibrated date).
That is very interesting. I didn't know anything about this transition so will read up more about it.
ReplyDeleteThe one phrase I couldn't follow was:
"It so happens that the Taurid meteor stream would rave radiated from this direction at this time,............"
Hi Sophie, every meteor stream appears to radiate, or originate, from a specific direction in the sky. Currently, the Taurid meteor stream radiates mainly from the direction of Aries/Taurus - that's where the meteors appear to come from. But over thousands of years, meteor streams precess (their orbits change), which means the position of their radiant will slowly change. 17,000 thousand years ago the Taurid meteor stream would have radiated mainly from the direction of Capricornus, which is the bull in our ancient zodiac. So a bull pierced by a spear can be interpreted as meteors coming from the direction of Capricornus, i.e. the Taurid meteor stream.
DeleteI think you are right about your conclusions. It is fascinating information when you taken in mind sumerian Clay tablets tell the same. Egyptian writings in the temple of Horus in Edfu the inner temple western wall tell it also. I am also going to Read your book. Even the younger history of mankind our buildings got alignment to the stars. Egyptians with the pyramid, English with Stonehenge, Inca,s theotuacan, germans Externsteine, and many more groups. Knowledge always evolves. But when you look to the vulture stone. In top 2 equinoxes and 1 solstice. But a complete year got 2 Times a solstice. So did they never came to Summer 21 June? So can i conclude the meteorshowers were then during the spring. While in current time 21 venture in autumn? Or am i missing something.
ReplyDeleteThe autumn and spring equinoxes and winter solstice are at the top of the pillar (the handbags), and the summer solstice is on the main panel (the sun on the vulture/eagle's wing).
DeleteThank you very much for your answer. This explains a lot. So the dipictions under the handbags are a representation of the starsetting at that time of the year. I ordered your book. And looking forward to Read it.
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