First Direct Radiocarbon Dating of Cave Paintings Achieved in Dordogne's Font-de-Gaume

In March 2026, a study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reported the first direct radiocarbon dating of prehistoric cave art at Font-de-Gaume in Dordogne, France. A research team led by physicist-chemist Ina Reiche used advanced imaging techniques to identify previously invisible charcoal traces, enabling accelerator mass spectrometry dating. Samples from two figures—a bison and a mask—yielded dates ranging from approximately 13,000 to 16,000 years old, confirming Paleolithic origins. This breakthrough provides independent chronological evidence beyond stylistic comparisons, allowing direct comparisons with other European cave art and revealing potential multiple phases of artistic activity in the cave.