The oldest identified datable African art consists of rock paintings found in the Apollo 11 Cave in Namibia, dating back to approximately 24,000 BC. These remarkable artworks represent some of humanity's earliest artistic expressions.
The Significance of Apollo 11 Cave Paintings
These ancient paintings hold immense significance as they are the oldest datable rock paintings discovered in Africa. Their existence provides crucial insights into the early cognitive and creative capabilities of Homo sapiens on the continent. The discovery site, Apollo 11 Cave, is named after the Apollo 11 moon landing, which occurred around the time of the cave's initial exploration in 1969.
Key Characteristics of the Art
The art pieces from Apollo 11 Cave are not typical cave wall paintings. Instead, they were found on portable stones within domestic debris, suggesting they were not static murals but possibly items that could be moved or held.
Here's a breakdown of their features:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Apollo 11 Cave, Huns Mountains, Namibia |
| Date | c. 24,000 BC (Old Stone Age / Upper Paleolithic) |
| Type | Portable rock paintings |
| Materials | Charcoal, ochre, and white pigments |
| Subjects | Primarily animals, including zebras and rhinoceroses |
| Context | Found within domestic living areas, embedded in debris |
The artists utilized natural pigments like charcoal for blacks, ochre for reds and yellows, and white pigments to depict various animals. These depictions demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of form and movement, capturing the essence of the fauna that inhabited the region during the late Pleistocene era. The choice of animals as subjects often reflects the deep connection early human societies had with their environment and the creatures within it, which were central to their survival and worldview.
