IF THE rock art in the Chauvet cave is 30,000 years old, it is the most ancient example of human art in existence and the implications for the evolution of culture are immense. This date is accepted and celebrated by archaeologists. But could it be wrong?
“I would be astounded if this date proves to be correct,” leading archaeologist Paul Bahn says now. “It flies in the face of all we know about ice-age art.” He has reignited the debate about the age of the paintings at Chauvet by questioning the science that says they are so old. The controversy is currently dividing the archaeology…
