Counting the Children: The Role of Children in the Production of Finger Flutings in Four Upper Palaeolithic Caves

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Publication Date

5-1-2015

Publication Title

Oxford Journal of Archaeology

Volume Number

34

Issue Number

2

Abstract

Children and young adults are believed to have represented up to 40 per cent of U pper P alaeolithic populations, yet little is known of their engagement in deep caves besides evidence of their hand and footprints. In this study we examine finger flutings, lines drawn with fingers in soft surfaces, in 12 F ranco‐ C antabrian U pper P alaeolithic caves to look for forensic evidence of unique individuals. We find evidence of children as finger fluters in four caves ( El C astillo, L as C himeneas, R ouffignac and G argas). We discuss the types, locations and frequency of their flutings, as well as the relationship between their flutings and those made by non‐children in the same caves and chambers. The small number of participants calls into question past theories of children's engagement in ritual and initiation in these particular caves.

Document Type

Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.1111/ojoa.12052

Language

English

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