17,000-Year-Old Red Lines in Welsh Cave Confirmed as Britain's Oldest Rock Art

A recent publication in Quaternary reveals that the 11 red parallel lines located in Bacon Hole cave, Wales, date back 17,100 years, making them the oldest known rock art in both Britain and northwest Europe. Initially uncovered in 1912 by Henri Breuil and William Sollas, these markings were later deemed natural in 1928. In 2022, archaeologist George Nash's team re-examined the cave and applied uranium-thorium dating to the hematite pigment. The lines, created between 18,300 and 15,700 years ago, indicate intentional human activity. Additionally, researchers discovered red dots made by fingers, leading Nash to suggest they functioned as a form of communication. The cave, now under the care of the National Trust, previously yielded pre-Roman artifacts. Nash also identified Britain's former oldest rock art in 2012 at Cathole Cave.