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East Asia’s oldest rock paintings found along China’s Jinsha River
Ancient legacy
By Li YuchePublished: Mar 22, 2022 07:41 PM
[IMG alt="Jinsha River rock paintings and researchers in the Wanrendong cave Photos: Courtesy of Shao Qingfeng
Top: A replica of a Zuojiang rock painting in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Photo:
IC"]https://www.globaltimes.cn/Portals/...dd5c97-2306-4210-a3eb-a9c581da2a08.jpeg[/IMG]
A replica of a Zuojiang rock painting in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Photo: IC
[IMG alt="Jinsha River rock paintings and researchers in the Wanrendong cave Photos: Courtesy of Shao Qingfeng
Top: A replica of a Zuojiang rock painting in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Photo:
IC"]https://www.globaltimes.cn/Portals/...56c83f-4dcc-436f-85a0-0f6aabe18a6e.jpeg[/IMG]
Jinsha River rock paintings and researchers in the Wanrendong cave Photos: Courtesy of Shao Qingfeng
[IMG alt="Jinsha River rock paintings and researchers in the Wanrendong cave Photos: Courtesy of Shao Qingfeng
Top: A replica of a Zuojiang rock painting in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Photo: IC"]https://www.globaltimes.cn/Portals/...5f3e59-aaff-4280-9b45-3ddfa5720cf8.jpeg[/IMG]
Jinsha River rock paintings and researchers in the Wanrendong cave Photos: Courtesy of Shao Qingfeng
Using the U-series dating technique, scientists in China have managed to narrow down the age of ancient rock paintings along the Jinsha River in the Southwest China's Yunnan Province to more than 13,000 years ago. The newly revealed age of the Jinsha River rock paintings makes them the oldest art legacy on rock ever found in East Asia.
Oldest in East Asia
The oldest of these paintings is located in Wanrendong cave in Tiger Leaping Gorge, which sits along the middle section of the Jinsha River. The cave is home to the most representative Jinsha River rock paintings.
Using high-precision uranium-series, or U-series dating techniques, scientists were able to test carbonate substances in the paint.
"We used an indirect dating method to analyze the carbonate substance attached to the rock paintings that infer the absolute age of the paintings," Shao Qingfeng, a core member of the research team, told the Global Times.
The new discovery also means the paintings are the first rock paintings in East Asia to be confirmed as dating to the Paleolithic Period.
According to Shao, dating rock paintings is extremely challenging due to the difficulties involving collecting samples as well as the variety of the materials used. As such, many of these ancient paintings around the world are unable to be accurately dated.
"It was a gift that we were able to find carbonate substances in the Jinsha River rock paintings," Shao noted.
The colors of the paintings in the Wanrendong cave range from purplish red to dark orange-red. The paintings use a realistic style to mainly depict animals such as boars, sheep and wild bears, but human figures using bows and arrows can also be seen.
The Jinsha River rock paintings were first discovered in 1988. Over the years, more than 70 rock painting sites have been found in the region, making it one of the most abundant troves of rock art in the world.
"Comparing these to others in Southeast Asia, like in Myanmar, the similarity of style shows signs of the cultural exchanges brought about by human migration," noted Shao.
Ancient legacy
By Li YuchePublished: Mar 22, 2022 07:41 PM
[IMG alt="Jinsha River rock paintings and researchers in the Wanrendong cave Photos: Courtesy of Shao Qingfeng
Top: A replica of a Zuojiang rock painting in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Photo:
IC"]https://www.globaltimes.cn/Portals/...dd5c97-2306-4210-a3eb-a9c581da2a08.jpeg[/IMG]
A replica of a Zuojiang rock painting in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Photo: IC
[IMG alt="Jinsha River rock paintings and researchers in the Wanrendong cave Photos: Courtesy of Shao Qingfeng
Top: A replica of a Zuojiang rock painting in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Photo:
IC"]https://www.globaltimes.cn/Portals/...56c83f-4dcc-436f-85a0-0f6aabe18a6e.jpeg[/IMG]
Jinsha River rock paintings and researchers in the Wanrendong cave Photos: Courtesy of Shao Qingfeng
[IMG alt="Jinsha River rock paintings and researchers in the Wanrendong cave Photos: Courtesy of Shao Qingfeng
Top: A replica of a Zuojiang rock painting in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Photo: IC"]https://www.globaltimes.cn/Portals/...5f3e59-aaff-4280-9b45-3ddfa5720cf8.jpeg[/IMG]
Jinsha River rock paintings and researchers in the Wanrendong cave Photos: Courtesy of Shao Qingfeng
Using the U-series dating technique, scientists in China have managed to narrow down the age of ancient rock paintings along the Jinsha River in the Southwest China's Yunnan Province to more than 13,000 years ago. The newly revealed age of the Jinsha River rock paintings makes them the oldest art legacy on rock ever found in East Asia.
Oldest in East Asia
The oldest of these paintings is located in Wanrendong cave in Tiger Leaping Gorge, which sits along the middle section of the Jinsha River. The cave is home to the most representative Jinsha River rock paintings.
Using high-precision uranium-series, or U-series dating techniques, scientists were able to test carbonate substances in the paint.
"We used an indirect dating method to analyze the carbonate substance attached to the rock paintings that infer the absolute age of the paintings," Shao Qingfeng, a core member of the research team, told the Global Times.
The new discovery also means the paintings are the first rock paintings in East Asia to be confirmed as dating to the Paleolithic Period.
According to Shao, dating rock paintings is extremely challenging due to the difficulties involving collecting samples as well as the variety of the materials used. As such, many of these ancient paintings around the world are unable to be accurately dated.
"It was a gift that we were able to find carbonate substances in the Jinsha River rock paintings," Shao noted.
The colors of the paintings in the Wanrendong cave range from purplish red to dark orange-red. The paintings use a realistic style to mainly depict animals such as boars, sheep and wild bears, but human figures using bows and arrows can also be seen.
The Jinsha River rock paintings were first discovered in 1988. Over the years, more than 70 rock painting sites have been found in the region, making it one of the most abundant troves of rock art in the world.
"Comparing these to others in Southeast Asia, like in Myanmar, the similarity of style shows signs of the cultural exchanges brought about by human migration," noted Shao.
