The Significance of Air Circulation and Hearth Location at Paleolithic Cave Sites

Kedar, Yafit; Barkai, Ran

doi:10.5334/oq.52

Cited by 12 publications

(14 citation statements)

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“…Therefore it was impossible to conclude the measurements until the fire was extinguished, and measurements were only taken for 30 minutes. We observed that the fireplace location was not appropriately placed regarding air currents; air currents in a cave are essential to achieving a prolonged stay underground [ 1 ]. However, in the case of large fires, convection currents are produced, and they would be efficient enough to evacuate gases outside of the cave [ 3 ].…”

Section: Results: Quantitative and Qualitative Data About Paleolithic Lightingmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The conquest of the dark spaces: An experimental approach to lighting systems in Paleolithic caves

et al. 2021

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Artificial lighting was a crucial physical resource for expanding complex social and economic behavior in Paleolithic groups. Furthermore, the control of fire allowed the development of the first symbolic behavior in deep caves, around 176 ky BP. These activities would increase during the Upper Paleolithic, when lighting residues proliferated at these sites. The physical peculiarities of Paleolithic lighting resources are very poorly understood, although this is a key aspect for the study of human activity within caves and other dark contexts. In this work, we characterize the main Paleolithic lighting systems (e.g., wooden torches, portable fat lamps, and fireplaces) through empirical observations and experimental archeology in an endokarstic context. Furthermore, each lighting system’s characteristic combustion residues were identified to achieve a better identification for the archaeological record. The experiments are based on an exhaustive review of archaeological information about this topic. Besides, we apply the estimated luminous data of a Paleolithic cave with Paleolithic art (Atxurra in northern Spain) in 3D through GIS technology to delve into the archeologic implications of illumination in Paleolithic underground activities.

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Section: Results: Quantitative and Qualitative Data About Paleolithic Lightingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The light duration restricts the time spent inside the cave and defines whether the visit will be a long stay or a short exploration. Moreover, the optimal management of some of the produced gases (i.e., the smoke of lighting tools) is essential to carry out prolonged subterranean frequentation [ 1 – 3 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The conquest of the dark spaces: An experimental approach to lighting systems in Paleolithic caves

et al. 2021

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“…In this section, we explain how the fire generated by torches or lamps affects the oxygen concentration in the cave. We start with a brief explanation of the air circulation model in caves (Kedar and Barkai 2019). We then discuss simulation experiments that measured oxygen concentration in compartments with restricted ventilation, similar to some extent to those found in a cave.…”

Section: Oxygen Ventilationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The height of the layers does not depend on the hall ceiling height but on the hall entrance height. Thus, the lower layer height is always lower than the entrance height (Kedar and Barkai 2019;Kedar, Kedar, and Barkai 2020).…”

Section: Oxygen Ventilationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Our simulations are based on the air circulation model for caves (Kedar and Barkai 2019), which we summarize in the following section, followed by a discussion of hypoxia and a short survey of relevant Upper Paleolithic caves and the locations of the depictions within them. We then present our simulation results and discuss various aspects of hypoxia and altered states of consciousness as they pertain to these results.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Hypoxia in Paleolithic decorated caves: the use of artificial light in deep caves reduces oxygen concentration and induces altered states of consciousness

Kedar

Kedar²,

Barkai

2021

Time and Mind

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In this paper, we present a novel hypothesis as to what led humans in the Upper Paleolithic to penetrate and decorate deep, dark caves. Many of the depictions in these caves are located in halls or narrow passages deep in the interior, navigable only with artificial light. We simulated the effect of torches on oxygen concentrations in structures similar to Paleolithic decorated caves and showed that the oxygen quickly decreased to levels known to induce a state of hypoxia. Hypoxia increases the release of dopamine in the brain, resulting in hallucinations and out-of-body experiences. We discuss the significance of caves in indigenous world views and contend that entering these deep, dark environments was a conscious choice, motivated by an understanding of the transformative nature of an underground, oxygen-depleted space. The cave environment was conceived as both a liminal space and an ontological arena, allowing early humans to maintain their connectedness with the cosmos. It was not the decoration that rendered the caves significant; rather, the significance of the chosen caves was the reason for their decoration.

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Between a rock and a cold place: Neanderthal biocultural cold adaptations

Ocobock

Lacy

Niclou

2021

Evolutionary Anthropology

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A large body of work focuses on the unique aspects of Neanderthal anatomy, inferred physiology, and behavior to test the assumption that Neanderthals were hyper‐adapted to living in cold environments. This research has expanded over the years to include previously unexplored and potentially adaptive features such as brown adipose tissue and fire‐usage. Here we review the current state of knowledge of Neanderthal cold adaptations along morphological, physiological, and behavioral lines. While highlighting foundational as well as recent work, we also emphasize key areas for future research. Despite thriving in a variety of climates, it is well‐accepted that Neanderthals appear to be the most cold‐adapted of known fossil hominin groups; however, there are still many unknowns. There is a great deal yet to be uncovered about the nature and manifestation of Neanderthal adaptation and how the synergy of biology and culture helped buffer them against extreme and variable environments.

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The Significance of Air Circulation and Hearth Location at Paleolithic Cave Sites

Cited by 12 publications

References 61 publications

The conquest of the dark spaces: An experimental approach to lighting systems in Paleolithic caves

The conquest of the dark spaces: An experimental approach to lighting systems in Paleolithic caves

Hypoxia in Paleolithic decorated caves: the use of artificial light in deep caves reduces oxygen concentration and induces altered states of consciousness

Between a rock and a cold place: Neanderthal biocultural cold adaptations

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