Lascaux cave art described as Paleolithic Rosetta Stone for mating scene depictions. Lascaux features a stag (male deer) paired with 7 red dots Aurochs (undomesticated ancestors of modern cattle) depicted in a mating scene with 4 black dots above the female Pair of reindeer with locked antlers depicted with 8 dots above, representing rutting behavior
Lascaux helped researchers crack the case. A stag appears with 7 red dots, an aurochs mating scene has 4 black dots above the female, and a pair of reindeer with locked antlers shows 8 dots. These standardized numerical associations with animal reproductive behavior were key to the calendar hypothesis. Truly a Paleolithic Rosetta Stone!
Key Facts
- Lascaux features a stag (male deer) paired with 7 red dots
- Aurochs (undomesticated ancestors of modern cattle) depicted in a mating scene with 4 black dots above the female
- Pair of reindeer with locked antlers depicted with 8 dots above, representing rutting behavior
- The site helped researchers crack the case by showing standardized numerical associations with animal reproductive behavior
Related site: Lascaux — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: Ice Age Calendar System Maintained for 20k years by Timeless with Fred Snyder