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Britain's oldest rock art found in Welsh cave

Black and white image of rock art when it was first discovered, compared with a colour picture next to it, showing it as it is now.George Nash

The rock art was first discovered in 1912 (left) before being dismissed years later as a natural phenomenon

Experts say a series of red striped markings found inside a cave in south Wales could be the oldest example of cave art in north-western Europe.

The coloured streaks were first discovered more than 100 years ago, but scientists later thought they were formed naturally.

However, new research suggests they may be finger paintings from over 17,000 years ago.

Scientists say they could have been used as a communication system, but their meaning currently remains a mystery.

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What did experts discover in Bacon Hole cave?

A general view of Bacon Hole cave. Its opening is in the shape of a triangle, with the sea and more cliffs behind it, with the blue sky beyond. There are small rocks covering the ground in front of the cave entrance.George Nash

The ten horizontal stripes were first discovered in 1912 on the walls of Bacon Hole cave near Swansea.

However, scientists later thought the stripes were natural mineral deposits.

New analysis was carried out by a team including researchers from First Art, as well as academics from the universities of Southampton and Swansea.

Archaeologists decided to look again at the art using new scientific methods.

They were able to date the rock art to at least 17,100 years ago, making it the oldest in north-western Europe.

Archaeologist and prehistoric art specialist George Nash said the art could have been used as a "communication system" but that its meaning was something "way beyond our comprehension".

Three people in red boiler suits sit on a cave floor with the rock walls behind them. They wear helmets with torches on the front. A tool box lies on the ground by them.George Nash

According to Dr Nash, at that time, the area around the cave would have provided lots of food for animals such as mammoths, bison, horses, elk and reindeer during the summer months.

This may have attracted hunter-gatherers to the area too.

Experts think they may have used some of the 95 caves along the Gower Peninsula, which faces the Bristol Channel.

That's because stone tools have been discovered in several of the caves during previous archaeological digs.

David Thomas from the National Trust, who looks after the site, added: "We always knew Bacon Hole was an extraordinary Palaeolithic site - but to discover that the oldest cave art in Britain lies here in Wales is very exciting.

"To imagine people standing on this very coastline over 17,000 years ago, carving their marks into the rock and transforming the places they lived through art, is profoundly moving."