• About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Archaeology News
  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum
Archaeology News
No Result
View All Result
Home News Archaeology

Stereoscopic imaging reveals hidden 3D animals in Paleolithic rock art

by Dario Radley
August 26, 2023

In a study led by Complutense University, Madrid, researchers have unveiled a remarkable array of ancient cave paintings.

Stereoscopic imaging reveals hidden 3D animals in Paleolithic rock art
Credit: amiteshikha, CC BY 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

The study, recently published in Antiquity, employs innovative digital stereoscopic recording techniques to explore the depths of La Pasiega cave’s rock art, a site previously thought to be thoroughly examined.

Through these techniques, the scientists uncovered previously unnoticed animal figures intricately intertwined with the existing cave art. Among their discoveries were depictions of horses, deer, and a large bovid, possibly an aurochs, all of which had remained concealed until now.

Many of the figures, which had previously been considered incomplete, suggesting that the artists abandoned their work prematurely, were reinterpreted as fully realized animal representations thanks to stereoscopic photography and a more profound understanding of how natural rock formations were incorporated into the artworks.

Stereoscopic imaging reveals hidden 3D animals in Paleolithic rock art
The photos show two previously unrecognized images in the cave. The bottom reveals those images after being processed with DStretch. Credit: R. Asiain & P. Saura; Antiquity Publications, Ltd.

Stereoscopic photographs allowed the researchers to establish connections between the images and the irregularities present in the cave’s rock walls. These connections, often invisible in traditional two-dimensional photographs, provided vital information about the artists’ intentions and methods.

RelatedStories

Early humans used ochre for advanced toolmaking at Blombos Cave, study finds

Early humans used ochre for advanced toolmaking at Blombos Cave, study finds

July 1, 2025
40,000-year-old mammoth tusk boomerang found in Poland may be the oldest in the world

40,000-year-old mammoth tusk boomerang found in Poland may be the oldest in the world

June 27, 2025

One of the most intriguing aspects of this study is how the ancient artists ingeniously incorporated the cave’s natural features into their depictions. They effectively merged the man-made and the natural, creating a harmonious interaction that infused depth and three-dimensionality into the artwork.

This innovative technique suggests that the topographical features of the cave walls may have inspired the artists’ imaginations. In a psychological phenomenon known as pareidolia, they may have seen unintended forms in nature, much like modern-day cloud-watching.

For instance, a recently discovered horse image, approximately 460 x 300mm in size and painted in red using variably spaced dots, showcases the head, corner of the mouth, eye, ear, and the beginning of the cervico-dorsal line. This figure cleverly incorporates the natural features of the cave wall, with the rock’s cracks merging seamlessly into the outlines of the head and chest. The cervical-dorsal line conforms to a concave area of the wall.

Stereoscopic imaging reveals hidden 3D animals in Paleolithic rock art
The researchers used the technique to reveal rock art depicting a horse. Credit: R. Asiain & P. Saura; Antiquity Publications, Ltd.

Another horse, painted in yellow ochre and measuring 600mm from head to hindquarters, highlights the head, mane, back, and hindquarters as the previously identified painted anatomical parts. The authors suggest that a rock edge delineates the horse’s belly, with the natural rock cracks defining the foreleg, even without paint.

This research revealed numerous connections between the images and the cave wall’s irregularities, a feature often overlooked in past studies that primarily relied on color, form, and painting or engraving techniques.

The study’s findings underscore the importance of considering both the artistic renderings and the topographical features of the cave’s rock surface when analyzing Paleolithic rock art.

More information: Raquel Asiain et al, (2023). Animals hidden in plain sight: stereoscopic recording of Palaeolithic rock art at La Pasiega cave, Cantabria, Antiquity. DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2023.122
Share2Tweet1ShareShareSend

You May Also Like...

Early humans used ochre for advanced toolmaking at Blombos Cave, study finds
Archaeology

Early humans used ochre for advanced toolmaking at Blombos Cave, study finds

July 1, 2025
Ancient DNA reveals rare leprosy strain in the Americas thousands of years before European contact
Anthropology

Ancient DNA reveals rare leprosy strain in the Americas thousands of years before European contact

July 1, 2025
British archaeologists uncover lost Egyptian city of Imet with rare tower houses and temple to cobra goddess Wadjet
Archaeology

British archaeologists uncover lost Egyptian city of Imet with rare tower houses and temple to cobra goddess Wadjet

June 30, 2025
Intact 7th century Etruscan tomb discovered in San Giuliano necropolis near Rome
Archaeology

Intact 7th century Etruscan tomb discovered in San Giuliano necropolis near Rome

June 30, 2025
DNA reveals female-centered society in 9,000-year-old Neolithic city of Çatalhöyük
Anthropology

DNA reveals female-centered society in 9,000-year-old Neolithic city of Çatalhöyük

June 29, 2025
Rare 1,800-year-old Roman soldier’s wrist purse unearthed in Czech Republic reveals life on the empire’s frontier
Archaeology

Rare 1,800-year-old Roman soldier’s wrist purse unearthed in Czech Republic reveals life on the empire’s frontier

June 28, 2025

Follow us


Instagram
247K

Facebook
110K

Threads
43K

LinkedIn
12K

Twitter
6K

YouTube
1K
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

May 18, 2025
Genetic study reveals the origin and diversity of the Huns

European Huns were not of Turkic origin but had ancient Siberian roots, linguistic study reveals

June 24, 2025
Secrets of the mysterious Gobi wall revealed: archaeologists uncover imperial purpose behind 200-mile structure

Secrets of the mysterious Gobi wall revealed: archaeologists uncover imperial purpose behind 200-mile structure

May 28, 2025
Rare 1,800-year-old Roman soldier’s wrist purse unearthed in Czech Republic reveals life on the empire’s frontier

Rare 1,800-year-old Roman soldier’s wrist purse unearthed in Czech Republic reveals life on the empire’s frontier

June 28, 2025
Sinkhole in York uncovers remains of medieval St Leonard’s Hospital, one of northern England’s largest

Sinkhole in York uncovers remains of medieval St Leonard’s Hospital, one of northern England’s largest

June 22, 2025
$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius' eruption

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius’ eruption

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado's expedition

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado’s expedition

Early humans used ochre for advanced toolmaking at Blombos Cave, study finds

Early humans used ochre for advanced toolmaking at Blombos Cave, study finds

July 1, 2025
Ancient DNA reveals rare leprosy strain in the Americas thousands of years before European contact

Ancient DNA reveals rare leprosy strain in the Americas thousands of years before European contact

July 1, 2025
British archaeologists uncover lost Egyptian city of Imet with rare tower houses and temple to cobra goddess Wadjet

British archaeologists uncover lost Egyptian city of Imet with rare tower houses and temple to cobra goddess Wadjet

June 30, 2025
Intact 7th century Etruscan tomb discovered in San Giuliano necropolis near Rome

Intact 7th century Etruscan tomb discovered in San Giuliano necropolis near Rome

June 30, 2025
DNA reveals female-centered society in 9,000-year-old Neolithic city of Çatalhöyük

DNA reveals female-centered society in 9,000-year-old Neolithic city of Çatalhöyük

June 29, 2025

Archaeology News online magazine

Archaeology News is an international online magazine that covers all aspects of archaeology.











Categories

  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • Download
  • Game
  • News
    • Anthropology
    • Archaeology
    • Paleontology
  • Quiz
  • Tours

Subscribe to our newsletter

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum

About  .  Contact  .  Donation

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved

We use cookies to improve your experience and enable functionality and security of this site. Further detail is available in our Privacy Policy. By accepting all cookies, you consent to our use of cookies and use of data.