4 ms·
Archaeologists recreated three common kinds of Paleolithic cave lighting
- madaxe_again 5y agoI recall reading “Ten years beneath the earth” by Norbert Castaret, a contemporary of Martel, and a great speleologist of the time. He would strip naked, grease himself up (both for warmth and lubrication), put a candle and lifeboat matches “in the one pocket of which man is still possessed in his natural state”, and squirm into spring outlets. More often than not, his illumination was a candle, or perhaps a lantern in a bigger cave. He comes to mind as I recall him describing seeing cave paintings by candlelight, and the flickering light providing animation and life to them. I also seem to recall Herzog talking about the same in his “Cave of forgotten dreams” documentary, along with the topology of the underlying rock sculpting light and dark to provide another layer of context and meaning to the paintings. Anyway. Neat paper, and good to see this getting serious consideration.
- canadianfella 5y agoWhat are lifeboat matches? Why did he out them in his ass?
- kadoban 5y agoThe lantern certainly does sound like it would require a bigger cave.
- rozularen 5y agowhat pocket is he referring to?