Peru by Kidder V Gowen
These paintings were discovered in a cave which they later named Chauvet Cave, after the lead archeologist of the exploration, in 1994 in France. The cave, until then, had been undisturbed for tens of thousands of years due to a landslide sealing of the main entrance of the cave. The paintings have been dated to be over 30,000 years old and were painted by our ancestors, Homo sapiens. Among the images of cave lions, mammoths, rhinos, bison, cave bears, and horses, fossilized remains, prints, and markings from a variety of these animals, some of which are now extinct, were also found. Along side some of these tracks once walked a child. The prints are the oldest pair of footprints on record dating back to 27,000 years ago.
Although they were made so long ago, the drawings in the cave seem as if the were drawn only yesterday. Ash from torches lay undisturbed on the ground as if it had fallen only moments ago. It is quite an amazing find, and the fact the the artist(s) put so much thought into their work is mind boggling. The way they use shadow, perspective, and they way they give some of the animals multiple legs or action lines to suggest movement is very interesting. Especially if you think about how in more modern history art was virtually non-exist until the Renaissance. When you think of history you think of progression, moving forward, but it almost seems as if we went backward. Art was obviously a part of our ancestors lives. In other caves they have even found remnants of flutes and one perfectly intact five holed flute made from the radius of a vulture. This particular Flute dates back at least 35,000 years.
Our ancestors, homo sapiens, are not to be confused with another species of the time Neanderthals; which were similar but very different. There is no evidence to suggest that Neanderthals had art or music, they do know however, they did have ritual burials but no creative culture, maybe this is how or why our species survived and Neanderthals died out, this is what made us different, our ability to have a creative outlet. The discovery in the Chauvet Cave not only gives us new insight into our past and where we as Humans came from but also about our future. Creativity is a strength that we have possessed for tens of thousands of years It is an important step to a better world. Can you imagine a world without it?
The above images do not do the cave paintings justice and if you are interested in learning more about the cave there is a documentary on Netflix called, Cave of Forgotten Dreams, that came out in 2010. The footage in this film is in fact the only footage to have ever been taken of the cave. Due to the toxic levels of carbon dioxide and radon in the cave and to preserve the pristine quality of it, entrance is limited to only a few people a few hours a week. Not only are the images on the walls interesting but the cave itself is beautiful. Nature is an artist itself.
-Kidder V. Gowen
I’m not sure what kind of plant these seeds belong to but I found them on a walk through Breton point. This is my beautiful sister.
wildflower arrangement courtesy of the giant field behind shaws.
Through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered I have fought my way here to the castle beyond the goblin city to take back the child that you have stolen. For my will is as strong as yours and my kingdom as great. You have no power over me.
