You might think archaeologists don't have much on their plates, but every day, awestriking discoveries are being made around the globe and every day, we learn a bit more about ancient worlds and people. Only recently, and tomb in Scotland was reportedly discovered to hold the first depictions of a red deer. This tomb is now listed as the country’s first site with a prehistorical animal drawing.
PA | The drawing dates back to the Neolithic or Early Bronze Age, about 4,000 to 5,000 years ago
It’s Not Always an Expert
According to news reports, an amateur archaeologist happened upon the carvings while looking inside one of the burial chambers. Located in Kilmartin Glen, the site stands on Scotland’s western coasts, which also hosts a plethora of monuments and burial sites. Hamish Fenton, the local man responsible for the discovery, claims he noticed that the patterns of the underside of a roof slab didn’t look like natural carvings to him.
PA | Working on a hunch, the archaeology enthusiast shone a light on the wall to discover not only the deer painting but also many other animals carved on the wall
Alongside several other young deer-like animals, the main stars of the carvings appear to be two red male deer with full antlers. Before this, all prehistoric rock art discovered in Scotland and the UK comprised abstract geometric drawings. Experts remark on the anatomical details in the art found at Dunchraigaig Cairn, which leaves no room for doubt as to what the drawings represent.
Pre-Historic Ties
According to BBC News, red deer was prized by early communities in the locality because of their meat, antlers, bones, and hides. Apart from being an excellent food source, this animal allowed for the creation of various tools used for survival. Even though ancient rock markings are most commonly known to depict images of animals with over 100 countries having discovered proof of ancient communities, it wasn’t until now that Scotland could be added to that list. The oldest known cave wall painting was found in Sulawesi, an Indonesian island.
Maxime Aubert | The pig artwork discovered here is said to date over 45,500 years ago
Wrapping It Up
To date, the most common cave markings found in Scotland and Britain are cup-and-ring motifs, which many scholars believe to be a representation of water. When looked at like ripples caused by raindrops hitting a water body, the image does make sense.
