A Botanical Classroom of the Early Upper Paleolithic: The vault fragments of the Grotta di Fumane depicts geophytes [Un atelier pédagogique botanique du Paléolithique supérieur ancien : des géoglyphes figurés sur des fragments de la voûte de la Grotta di Fumane.]

Abstract

In the Grotta di Fumane (GdF), five figuratively painted vault fragments were found in the debris of the cave floor. Dating to 35,000 B.P., the paintings are among the oldest known paintings in Europe. The paintings have been dated to an early phase of the Aurignacian. This should explain the “primitive” character of the works. We interpret the paintings as very accurate depictions of geophytes with an emphasis on their underground storage organs. Since the taxa presented here are also used in present-day HG communities, we conclude that there was a corresponding use by the inhabitants of Grotta di Fumane. © 2022 Elsevier Masson SAS