Page 2 - Sandy Needham News Today

When brought near flickering flames, prehistoric stone engravings of animals seem to move, experiments with replicas and virtual reality show.

Hunter-gatherers may have enjoyed dynamic, moving pictures long before the first movie was shown some 140 years ago, according to a study that examined engraved stone tablets created around 15,000 years ago.

A research team, involving a PhD student from our Department of Archaeology, has analysed engravings on stones and discovered they were created by firelight by our ancestors around 15,000 years ago.Historical markingsThe research team, led by Dr Andy

Scientists used 3D modeling and microscopic-observation tools to examine a series of engraved objects in the British Museum collection.

Animals carved into stone were created to be placed around fires at night, allowing the flickering light to play across them, researchers suggest.

Our early ancestors probably created intricate artwork by firelight, an examination of 50 engraved stones unearthed in France has revealed. The stones were incised with artistic designs around 15,000 years ago and have patterns of heat damage which suggests they were carved close to the flickering light of a fire, the new study has found. […]

Research found that firelight was used to create movement on scenes etched into portable rock art found in France, making these the first cartoons in history.

Researchers said the carvings are likely to have been made using stone tools by Magdalenian people, an early hunter-gatherer culture dating from between 23,000 and 14,000 years ago.

Markings on prehistoric art hint at an early attempt at animation | Science & technology

Animal portraits may have been placed close to flickering fires to appear animated.