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Palaeolithic Cave Engravings at Creswell Crags, England

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 February 2014

Sergio Ripoll ,
Francisco Muñz ,
Paul Bahn  and
Paul Pettitt
Sergio Ripoll
Affiliation:
Departamento de Prehistoria e Historia Antigua, Universidad Nacional de Educatión a Distancia. C/Senda del Rey, 7. 28040 Madrid, Spain
Francisco Muñz
Affiliation:
Departamento de Prehistoria e Historia Antigua, Universidad Nacional de Educatión a Distancia. C/Senda del Rey, 7. 28040 Madrid, Spain
Paul Bahn
Affiliation:
428 Anlaby Road, Hull HU3 6QP
Paul Pettitt
Affiliation:
Dept. of Archaeology, University of Sheffield, Northgate House, West Street, Sheffield S1 4ET
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Abstract

A series of undoubtedly Palaeolithic engraved figures have been recorded for the first time in the United Kingdom in Church Hole Cave, Creswell Crags. The first recorded images were thought initially to be two birds and a large ibex. This paper presents the preliminary results of the first systematic survey of the caves for engravings which identified a total of 16 figures. On closer examination with correct lighting the ibex was seen to be a stag, accompanied by a bison and another herbivore. The presence of the birds was confirmed and at least one other bovid and several other images, including possible vulvas, were identified.

Résumé

On a répertorié une série de gravures rupestres datant sans le moindre doute du Paléolithique dans la grotte de Church Hole, Cresswell Crags, ce qui est une première pour le Royaume-Uni. On a pensé, au départ, que les premières images répertories représentaient deux oiseaux et un grand bouquetin. Cette étude présente les résultats préliminaires de la première prospection systématique des grottes, à la recherche de gravures, qui a identifié un total de 16 figures. Un examen plus approfondi avec un éclairage approprié a révélé que le bouquetin était en fait un cerf accompagné d'un bison et d'un autre herbivore. On a pu confirmer la présence des oiseaux et on a identifié au moins un autre bovidé ainsi que plusieurs autres représentations, y compris peut-être des vulves.

Zusammenfassung

In der Church Hole Höhle in Creswell Crags wurden zum ersten Mai im Vereinigten Königreich eine Reihe von unzweifelhaft paläolithischen gravierten Figuren aufgenommen. Die ersten beschriebenen Bilder wurden zunächst für zwei Vögel und einen großen Steinbock gehalten. Dieser Artikel legt die vorläufigen Ergebnisse des ersten systematischen Surveys zu den Gravierungen der Höhlen vor, indem insgesamt 16 Figuren identifiziert werden konnten. Nach einer näheren Untersuchung unter guten Lichtverhältnissen konnte man schließlich erkennen, dass es sich bei dem Steinbock um einen Hirsch handelte, der von einem Bison und einem anderen Pflanzenfresser begleitet wurde. Das Vorkommen der Vögel konnte jedoch bestätigt und mindestens ein weiterer Bovide und mehrere andere Bilder, zu denen mögliche Darstellungen von Vulven gehören, identifiziert werden.

Zusammenfassung

Una serie de figuras grabadas, indudablemente del Paleolítico, han sido registradas por primera vez en el Reino Unido en la Cueva de Church Hole, Creswell Crags. Inicialmente se pensó que las primeras imágenes encontradas representaban dos pájaros y una cabra montés de gran tamaño. Este trabajo presenta los resultados preliminares de la primera inspectión sistemática de las cuevas en busca de grabados, que identificó un total de 16 figuras. Tras un examen más detallado con la iluminación adecuada, se vió que la cabra montés era en realidad un ciervo, acompañado por un bisón y otro herbívoro. La presencia de los pájaros quedó confirmada y se identificaros al menos otro bovino y varias otras imágenes que incluyen las de posibles vulvas.

Type
Research Article
Information
Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society , Volume 70 , 2004 , pp. 93 - 105
Copyright
Copyright © The Prehistoric Society 2004

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