In the heart of the Fontainebleau forest in France, a modest cave hides an exceptional archaeological treasure. Researchers there have discovered what could be the oldest three-dimensional map ever identified, offering unprecedented insight into the cognitive abilities of our prehistoric ancestors.
This discovery, dating from the Upper Paleolithic, calls into question our understanding of the first spatial representations. The engravings and floor arrangements of the Ségognole 3 cave seem to reproduce the surrounding landscape, with its waterways and reliefs. A technical and artistic feat which testifies to an already sophisticated abstract thought.
A cave with many secrets
The Ségognole 3 cave, located in Noisy-sur-École, has been known since the 1980s for its rock engravings, notably two horses framing a female representation. However, it is soil modifications that have recently captured the attention of scientists. Furrows and depressions, carefully dug, form a network hydraulic complex.
These developments, according to the researchers, are not the result of chance. They reproduce the hydrographic system of the vallée of the School, located nearby. The water of rain flowing through these structures once animated this miniature landscape, creating a representation dynamic et functional.
A map or a symbolic model?
Scientists are hesitant to call this discovery a “map” sens modern term. It would rather be a three-dimensional model, illustrating the spatial relationships between the elements of the landscape. Hills, rivers and ponds are depicted with astonishing precision, suggesting a deep understanding of theenvironment.
-However, the purpose of this creation remains mysterious. Was it an educational tool, a support for rituals linked to water, or a simple artistic work? Researchers lean towards a symbolic meaning, linked to life and nature, although this interpretation remains speculative.
A discovery that sheds light on the past
This prehistoric map, almost 20,000 years old, pushes the limits of our knowledge of Paleolithic societies. It reveals an ability to conceptualize and reproduce space, long before the invention of writing or modern maps.
The techniques used to create this model, as well as its complexity, highlight the ingenuity and creativity of the people of the time. This discovery opens new perspectives on the cultural practices and technical knowledge of Paleolithic hunter-gatherers.
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