Archaeology of the Light: multiproxy, interdisciplinary and experimental approach to the knowledge of palaeolithic subterranean activities

The control of fire is a milestone in human evolution.

Artificial lighting is a crucial resource for the expansion of social and economic behaviour in Palaeolithic groups beyond the day hours.

Besides, this allowed the potential development of the first symbolic comportment located in deep caves probably at least 176ky ago.

This would increase during the Upper Palaeolithic when archaeological remains proliferate in darkness linked to the rock art.

The A-LIGHT project, Archaeology of the Light, aims to improve our knowledge of palaeolithic activities in caves through a pioneering and interdisciplinary methodology applied to rarely-studied remains: the residues of Palaeolithic light.

Its multi-analytical approach will provide multifaceted information, including the widely debated chronology of the first cave art.

Additionally, it will supply useful data for other researchers who delve into topics related to cave art and the symbolic world of the Palaeolithic (visibility, accessibility, space perception...).

The experimental reproduction will permit evaluating the efficiency of the light systems deduced from the previous multi-analytical study and reach a Virtual Scientific Reproduction (prototype in non-academic placement), with its economic potential in heritage dissemination and tourism activities.

It also includes an ethnographic section which will help shedding some light on alternative interpretations to the utilitarian aspect of the firelight. The host institution (UBx), under the supervision of Dr. Ferrier, will conduct and train Dr.

Medina, a specialist in Subterranean Archaeology from Spain, to advance her training in Archaeo-pyrotechnology in caves (multiproxy, multi-analytical and experimental approach, with special incidence about on-site analysis). Dr.

Medina will contribute to the charcoal analysis from the inner of the caves and provide an opportunity for the host to expand the study area to new geographical contexts and recently discovered caverns.