Neanderthal cave engravings discovered after 57,000 years
Researchers have identified markings on a cave wall in France as the oldest known engravings made by Neanderthals, dating back more than 57,000 years. The non-figurative markings on the wall are interpreted as finger-flutings, marks made by human hands. The team used photogrammetry to create 3D models of these markings, comparing them with known and experimental human markings. The team also dated cave sediments with optically-stimulated luminescence dating, determining that the cave became closed off by infilling sediment around 57,000 years ago, well before Homo sapiens became established in the region.