What the study found
The study found carbon black-based figures in the Font-de-Gaume cave and directly dated them. The dates include Paleolithic ages for most of the sampled lines, with one result that does not match that pattern.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors say these findings confirm the Paleolithic age of cave art in Font-de-Gaume, except for one date. They also conclude that the study opens new possibilities for more systematic dating of cave wall art in the cavern and encourages further research on carbon black-based Paleolithic parietal art in the Dordogne region.
What the researchers tested
The researchers used reflectance imaging spectroscopy, a noninvasive imaging method that measures how surfaces reflect light, to distinguish manganese-based black from carbon-based black. They then sampled two figures identified as carbon black-based for radiocarbon dating: the Bison figure and the Mask.
What worked and what didn't
Reflectance imaging spectroscopy allowed a precise noninvasive distinction between manganese- and carbon-based blacks. The radiocarbon dates obtained for the Bison and for parts of the Mask were 13461–13162 calBP, 8993–8590 calBP, 15981–15121 calBP, and 15297–14246 calBP; the authors describe these as slightly more recent than expected, and say that all but one date support a Paleolithic age.
What to keep in mind
The abstract notes that dating parietal representations is difficult because very little material is available and because of possible contamination from other carbon sources. Only two figures were sampled, so the results are limited to those selected figures and the available dates described in the abstract.
Key points
- Carbon black-based figures were identified in the Font-de-Gaume cave in Dordogne, France.
- Reflectance imaging spectroscopy was used to separate manganese-based blacks from carbon-based blacks without damage.
- Two carbon black-based figures were radiocarbon dated: the Bison and the Mask.
- Most of the obtained dates support a Paleolithic age for the cave art.
- The authors say the study could enable more systematic dating of cave wall art in the cavern.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Carbon black cave art dated in Font-de-Gaume
- Authors:
- Ina Reiche, Lucile Beck, Ingrid Caffy, Yvan Coquinot, Matthias Alfeld, Anne Maigret, José Tapia, Marc Martinez, Anthony Lescale, P. Paillet
- Institutions:
- CEA Paris-Saclay, CEA Paris-Saclay, Centre de recherche et de restauration des musées de France, Centre de recherche et de restauration des musées de France, Centre de recherche et de restauration des musées de France, Centre de recherche et de restauration des musées de France, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives, Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives, Delft University of Technology, Histoire Naturelle des Humanités Préhistoriques, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Laboratoire de Mesure du Carbone 14, Laboratoire de Mesure du Carbone 14, Nation University, Nation University, Université Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Saclay
- Publication date:
- 2026-03-09
- OpenAlex record:
- View
- Image credit:
- Traumrune, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
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