Paleolithic Finger Flutings and the Question of Writing

Abstract

Discussions of Paleolithic Cave Art rarely, if ever, explore the possibilities of evidence of writing and yet finger flutings (lines made by fingers in soft moonmilch or clay on cave walls and ceilings) raise significant questions as to what is writing and what internal structures would need to be evident within fluted panels to constitute writing. In this paper, the author shares findings from the French caves of Rouffignac and Gargas, and nine caves in Cantabrian, Spain. This paper does not pose to claim that finger flutings are necessarily writing, but instead raises the question of what elements would need to be present for them to be considered writing, and asks what would be the implications if they did.

Keywords:

• Upper Paleolithic
• finger flutings
• writing
• Rouffignac Cave
• Gargas Cave

Acknowledgements

I would like to acknowledge the assistance of many people who have contributed to this work, most especially my late husband, Kevin Sharpe, who founded this work and asked all of the big questions in the first place; as well as Lloyd Aspinwall and Jessica Cooney who have assisted me since his death in 2008. In Rouffignac, thanks to the Plassard Family for their permission and support over many years, as well as the specific assistance and wisdom of guide Frédéric Goursolle. In Gargas, thanks to the Conservation Régionale de l’Archéologie, Toulouse, the Mayor and Commune of Aventignan for permission to research and Nicolas Ferrer for guiding within the cave.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Leslie Van Gelder

Leslie Van Gelder is archaeologist, writer, and educator living in the Rees Valley of New Zealand. She is a member of the PhD faculty at Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership, Walden University, Minneapolis, MN, USA, and a widely published writer. Her research focuses on finger flutings in caves in France, Spain, and Australia.