This antler plaque from Abri Blanchard in France is from the early Upper Paleolithic, dated to ca. 35,000–28,000 years ago. Alexander Marshack analyzed it and suggested it shows lunar phase notations—evidence of early lunar observation. The artifact depicts geometric patterns and notched edges providing a coordinate system, and is one of the earliest examples of symbolic notation in the European Paleolithic record. It was found near Abri Lartet shelter.
Abri Blanchard Moon Bone Shows Lunar Phases
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📍 Abri Blanchard🌍 Show on the globe
Key facts
- Artifact is a bone from Abri Blanchard shelter in France
- Age: over 30,000 years old
- Shows two figures with general outline similar to moon phases
- Some lunar phases missing from the depiction
- Located feet from Abri Lartet shelter
- Alexander Marshack analyzed this artifact for NASA in 1972
Sources
Marking Time | Daniel Rosenberg - Cabinet Magazinecabinetmagazine.org
Marshack widened his time frame further and further, ending up, unexpectedly, in the Paleolithic period. This was how Marshack discovered the Blanchard bone, ...
Rock art theories IX - Bradshaw Foundationbradshawfoundation.com
Art as Information is believed to be especially evident on bones and antlers. Alexander Marshak carried out extensive research in this field, ...
[PDF] Upper Paleolithic Notation Systems in Prehistoric Europepenn.museum
plaque from Abri Blanchard. As in Figure 5b, the marks are laid out linearly together with a diagram showing the order in which they should be read on the ...
[PDF] Physiological Events Built in Abri Blanchard Bone Under Palæolithic ...wwjmrd.com
Alexander Marshack, the pioneer researcher in this field, accepted cave and wall culture among the Upper Palæolithic people. He also appreciated the fertility ...
Astronomy at Abri Blanchard - Cave Script Translation Projectcavescript.org
This article builds on Alexander Marshack's study of a 35000 year old bone, and demonstrates that the notation portrays both a lunar and a solar calendar.
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