What the study found
Carbon black-based figures were identified in the Font-de-Gaume cave, and direct radiocarbon dating was then applied to selected drawn or painted lines. The study reports dates for a Bison figure and a Mask figure, with most of the dates supporting a Paleolithic age for this cave art.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors say that noninvasive imaging made it possible to distinguish manganese-based black from carbon-based black, which unlocked direct dating of drawn or painted lines in the Dordogne region. The study suggests this opens the way for more systematic dating of parietal art and further research on carbon black-based Paleolithic cave art in the 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 and carbon-based black pigments. They then sampled two selected figures in the Font-de-Gaume cave for radiocarbon dating: the Bison and the Mask.
What worked and what didn't
The imaging approach allowed a precise noninvasive discrimination between manganese- and carbon-based blacks. Radiocarbon dating produced ages of 13461-13162 calBP for the Bison, and 8993-8590 calBP, 15981-15121 calBP, and 15297-14246 calBP for parts of the Mask; the abstract says these results, except for one date, experimentally confirmed the Paleolithic age of the cave art.
What to keep in mind
Dating cave art is described as challenging because only a small amount of material is available and contamination by other carbon sources is possible. The abstract does not give further limitations beyond this, and it notes that one of the dates did not fit the overall pattern.
Key points
- Carbon black-based figures were identified in the Font-de-Gaume cave in Dordogne, France.
- Reflectance imaging spectroscopy distinguished manganese-based black from carbon-based black.
- Two figures were selected for radiocarbon dating: the Bison and the Mask.
- The Bison date was 13461-13162 calBP.
- Mask samples produced three dates: 8993-8590 calBP, 15981-15121 calBP, and 15297-14246 calBP.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Carbon black cave art in Dordogne was directly dated
- Publication date:
- 2026-03-09
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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