How do we know that these black drawings were produced 36,000 years ago? (2019/2019) by Fanny Le BagousseGrotte Chauvet - UNESCO World Heritage Site
What can give us a clue…
A. The chemical element carbon-14 or B. Our intuition
The correct answer is…
A. Chemical element carbon-14
Horses panel (Chauvet cave) (2006/2006) by L. GuichardGrotte Chauvet - UNESCO World Heritage Site
In the Chauvet Cave, most of the depictions on the walls are black drawings done using charcoal. This material contains the chemical element carbon-14, which is found in all living organisms. Once an animal or plant dies, the carbon-14 begins to deteriorate.
How do we know that these black drawings were produced 36,000 years ago? (2019/2019) by Fanny Le BagousseGrotte Chauvet - UNESCO World Heritage Site
By isolating the carbon-14, scientists can establish how much of it remains and are then able to calculate the date of death of the animal or plant. The carbon-14 method can only go back as far as 50,000 years ago.
What materials did the Aurignacians use to make their paint? (2019/2019) by Fanny Le BagousseGrotte Chauvet - UNESCO World Heritage Site
Let's see if you can answer another prehistory question!
