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Ancient Cave Art Suggests Early Humans Crossed from Wales to Ireland
Developing
In Short: New findings indicate that humans may have crossed from Wales to Ireland as early as 15,000 years ago, challenging previous beliefs about the first human inhabitants.
Archaeologists have discovered eight pieces of ancient cave art in Ireland, dating back at least 15,000 years, and possibly even earlier, according to a new report from the BBC. This discovery pushes back the timeline for the first known humans in Ireland by around 5,000 years compared to previous findings.
Dr. Nash, a leading expert on the subject, explained that modern-day south Wales was settled by early humans from southern England, France, and Spain, who crossed dried-up land bridges of the English and Bristol Channels, settling in caves along the inhabitable strip of land from Chepstow to St Davids.
The new findings suggest that early humans may have continued their journey westward, reaching Ireland. Dr. Nash noted, 'We know that modern-day south Wales was settled from around 35,000 to 40,000 years ago, by intrepid early modern humans from southern England, France and Spain, crossing the then dried-up land bridges of the English and Bristol Channels - seasonally settling in caves along the inhabitable strip of land stretching from Chepstow to St Davids.
Dr. Nash also added, 'The sites we've currently explored are in south-west Ireland, but it's illogical to presume that early humans just bypassed Wexford, Waterford and Cork, and ploughed on west.
These findings challenge previous assumptions about the first human inhabitants of Ireland and suggest a more complex migration pattern than previously thought, indicating that early humans may have traveled further and more extensively than previously believed.
Background
Ireland is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe. Geopolitically, the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Located on the island of Great Britain, it is bordered by the Irish Sea to the north and west, England to the east, the Bristol Channel to the south, and the Celtic Sea to the south-west.
What's confirmed
What's still developing
- Nothing material beyond the confirmed record.