Oldest Prehistoric Art in Britain Discovered in Gower Cave

A series of red horizontal stripes painted on the wall of a cave in Gower, Swansea, has been scientifically verified as Britain’s oldest known prehistoric art. The discovery, located in the side chamber of Bacon Hole cave, was initially identified in 1912 but was subsequently dismissed as a natural geological occurrence. However, using modern dating techniques, archaeologists have determined that the markings are at least 17,100 years old, establishing them as the oldest rock art in north-western Europe.

George Nash, a prehistoric art specialist and archaeologist, suggests that the markings may have functioned as a form of communication, though he admits their precise significance remains elusive. "It’s something which is way beyond our comprehension, and that's the big problem. We can't work that one out," Nash explained. He noted that while modern observers classify it as art, people from 17,100 years ago likely viewed it differently. "We, in our 21st Century mindset, call it art, but at 17,100 years ago BP (before present), it probably was a communication system, for example."

Nash, an associate professor at the University of Coimbra in Portugal and a research fellow at Liverpool University, proposed that the horizontal bands could serve as "tally marks," potentially indicating how long groups had occupied the cave. He added that if more similar panels were discovered, their importance would become clearer. "I mean, if we were to find a lot more panels like it, then we could start making quite important about it, but as yet, we've found nothing."

The context of the cave's creation provides insight into the environment of the time. Nash explained that during the period the art was made, the area now known as the Bristol Channel was a "rich fertile plateau" connecting Gower to the north Devon coast. This landscape served as a vital summer feeding ground for megafauna, including mammoths, bison, horses, elk, and reindeer, which in turn attracted hunter-gatherer communities. It is believed these groups utilized at least 95 caves along the Gower Peninsula, evidenced by stone tools found during excavations.

The climate was harsh, with average summer temperatures around -10C (14F) across a treeless landscape as glaciers retreated toward central Wales. Despite the cold, melting water was present.

The rediscovery of the art occurred in 2022, ending decades of oversight. The markings had been obscured by calcite flow, leading to their initial dismissal in 1928 as "red oxide mineral seeping through the rock," as reported by the Guardian at the time. An international team led by Nash used uranium-thorium dating to analyze the pigments, concluding that the lines were the result of "human agency" rather than natural processes.

While the bands themselves are dated to 17,100 years, Nash suggested the finger painting technique underneath could be even older. He expressed surprise at the ability to date and analyze the pigments, calling the find an "exciting rediscovery" that enhances our understanding of deep Welsh history.

There are also suspicions that further prehistoric art may lie hidden beneath later graffiti. A local fisherman added his own markings to the opposite side of the cave in the late 1800s, potentially covering older works.

Bacon Hole cave is situated within the limestone cliffs of south Gower, overlooking the Bristol Channel, and is managed by the National Trust Cymru. Although the site is located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it is not currently designated as a scheduled monument, a status Nash argues is now essential. To protect the art from vandalism, a steel grill has been installed in the side chamber, meaning bats are currently the only visitors to the paintings.

This discovery follows a significant finding by Nash a decade earlier. In 2012, he identified a reindeer engraving in the nearby Cathole Cave, which was confirmed as the oldest known rock art in Britain at that time. The Bacon Hole findings further cement Gower’s importance as a hub for prehistoric activity.

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-06-02 05:14:59 UTC