NATS 1745 Chapter Notes - Chapter 7: Lunar Phase, Lascaux, Upper Paleolithic
22 Sep 2017
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Lascaux caves blanchard bone research notes: the earliest indication of the use of a symbolic notation to represent or visualize an astronomical cycle come from the upper paleolithic period. At this time, in addition to striking cave art, engravings were made on small portable objects such as stones of bone and antler. (ruggles,) Marshack as a more sophisticated lunar cycle calendar. On this part of the cave wall there are 29 dots, snaking around the bottom of a beautifully executed painting of a wild horse. 29 days is the period from a new moon through full moon to new moon again. (butler) Fourth source: marshack discovered that the markings were in groups made with different tools, at different angles, with different pressures. 24 changes of point and stroke to make 69 close marks. Marshack argues that these patterns corresponded to a lunar cycle, including bi- monthly leap day to cover extra half day that each cycle requires (briggs, wagner)
