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The Conversation
The Conversation
Robyn Adams, Senior Lecturer, School of Science & Technology, Nottingham Trent University

Can DNA from cave paintings tell us who the artists were?

Ancient painting of a bison from Altamira cave in Spain. luisrphoto

Perhaps the most evocative windows into the minds of our ancient ancestors are the images they painted on the walls of caves – renderings known simply as rock art or cave paintings.

Rock art, which is found across the world, offers snapshots of human history, preserving representations of cultural traditions, symbolic communication and social identity. Common subjects include animals, hunting scenes and hand stencils – thought to have been made by blowing pigment over the artist’s hand.

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