Prehistoric Cave Drawings ‘Made by Children’

The World

Woolly mammoths show up in the Geo Quiz. Archaeologists have long been studying the paintings and drawings on the walls of a famous cave complex in France. The stone age art dates back to the Paleolithic Age. Many of the drawings represent woolly mammoths. In fact the place is nicknamed the “Cave of a Hundred Mammoths.”

Lately, researchers have been focusing on some finger drawings. They think children as young as three, four or five did some of the artwork. So, part of the cave complex may have served as a kind of prehistoric nursery where kids were encouraged to develop their creative skills in cave art — 13,000 years ago.

So, can you name the cave complex in western France where kids drew on the walls?

Answer: the Rouffignac Cave.

Anchor Marco Werman talks with Jessica Cooney at the University of Cambridge where a conference on the archaeology of childhood is taking place this weekend.

Kickstart The World’s fundraising drive!

The article you just read is free because dedicated readers and listeners like you chose to support our nonprofit newsroom. Our team works tirelessly to ensure you hear the latest in international, human-centered reporting every weekday. But our work would not be possible without you. We need your help.

Make a gift today to help us raise $67,000  by the end of the year and keep The World going strong. Every gift will get us one step closer to our goal!