Beyond the Bounds of Western Europe: Paleolithic Art in the Balkan Peninsula

Abstract

Paleolithic art offers unique perspectives on prehistoric societies and cultures. It is also considered a key component of modern human behavior. Until recently, Paleolithic artworks were thought to be geographically restricted to a very few areas, especially southwestern Europe. Discoveries of art in other parts of Europe and other parts of the globe have challenged this vision, expanding the documented distribution of this important cultural phenomenon. As a consequence, there has been renewed interest in less well-known areas, with the goal of determining whether the current lack of art is a reflection of a past reality, the product of limited research, or a matter of preservation. One of these regions is the Balkan Peninsula, a key area for understanding Upper Paleolithic societies given its location at the crossroads of several migration routes into Europe. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Paleolithic symbolic products, including both rock art and portable art from the Balkans. Recent research has led to new discoveries and insights into the symbolism of this long-neglected area. The present review, combining existing literature and new fieldwork, sheds new light on social and cultural interactions in this part of the continent and leads to a better understanding of its role within the European Upper Paleolithic cultural sphere.

‘Out of Franco-Cantabria’: The Globalization of Pleistocene Rock Art

“…During our recent work at the site, we have confirmed that the archaeological deposits are undisturbed after the first 3-5 cm below the surface (Ruiz-Redondo et al, forthcoming). Although archaeologists have long assumed the presence of a horse depiction among the engravings, we have found no evidence to support such an interpretation (Ruiz-Redondo et al 2020a). Nevertheless, Basler concluded his presentation with a significant remark: "It is beyond question that we need to wait for new discoveries from the west coast of the Balkan peninsula" (Basler 1979, 354).…”

“…The first excavations revealed an extremely rich and complex site, and archaeologists recovered more than 20,000 lithic remains dating from the end of the Pleistocene (Late Epigravettian) during the first campaign. The finds also included hundreds of personal ornaments and dozens of engraved bone fragments, both rare elements in Paleolithic sites of the Balkan Peninsula (see Ruiz-Redondo et al 2020a). This first campaign also revealed an even more exceptional discovery: a large, engraved boulder.…”

Absence of botanical European Palaeolithic cave art: What can it tell us about plant awareness disparity?

“…However, wall art is only one form of art used during the Palaeolithic, and many of the 400 European Palaeolithic cave art sites (Mabey, 2016) have yet to be fully integrated into a global database. Similarly, mobile art seems to play a much more important role in the depiction of plants, but the reasons for that are speculative and more research is required (Newton, 2009; Ruiz‐Redondo et al, 2020; Tyldesley & Bahn, 1983; Von Petzinger, 2017). For example, data used from the EPAD website for image analysis was published around the year 2000 and has not been updated in over 22 years (Bahn et al, 2003).…”

“…Similarly, mobile art seems to play a much more important role in the depiction of plants, but the reasons for that are speculative and more research is required (Newton, 2009;Ruiz-Redondo et al, 2020;Tyldesley & Bahn, 1983;Von Petzinger, 2017). For example, data used from the EPAD website for image analysis was published around the year 2000 and has not been updated in over 22 years (Bahn et al, 2003).…”

Incised stone artefact in the context of Middle Holocene burials at Cappalombo 1, South Sulawesi, Indonesia | Artefak batu bergores dalam konteks penguburan Holosen Tengah di Situs Cappalombo 1, Sulawesi Selatan, Indonesia

“…Incised marks on artefacts at Late Pleistocene sites are often interpreted as symbolic behaviour and evidence for the cognitive state of modern humans (d 'Errico and Henshilwood 2011;Malafouris 2021). It is even thought that such scratches, engravings or marks may form part of communication systems or social interactions, both within social groups and as records for future generations (Henshilwood and d'Errico 2011;Langley et al 2020;Ruiz-Redondo et al 2020). There are increasing reports of scratched artefacts being documented throughout the "Old World" regions and the existence of such artefacts have become a topic of global debate (Henshilwood et al 2002(Henshilwood et al , 2009(Henshilwood et al , 2018Yaroshevich et al 2016;Dutkiewicz et al 2020).…”