12,000-Yr-Old Headless Horse Engraving With 'Realistic Legs and Hooves' Awes Archaeologists

Ancient engravings serve as a glimpse into the unknown past. In 2019, an engraving found in France showcased to researchers the importance a particular community put into horses, stated The Independent. The discovery took place in the Bordeaux region.

According to examinations the stone engraving was 12,000 years old. The prehistoric creation featured several geometric shapes, some animals as well as a cattle. The cattle were identified to be aurochs, a kind of wild animal that has now gone extinct. The finding was labeled as 'exceptional' by researchers. This was because the engraving was possible evidence of hunter-gatherer groups in those times already creating artistic depictions of their lives.

The stone plate was carved out of siliceous sandstone. The 25cm x 18cm stone was excavated during some archaeological work in a hunting site near Angoulême train station. "The plate has engravings on both sides and combines geometric and figurative motifs," the National Archaeological Research Institute (INRAP) added. Examination showcased that the patterns were associated with the Azilian culture. The art produced by this culture was known to have more abstraction, something which was noted in this stone plate.

This culture comprised a group of people who lived around 14,000 years ago in portions of France and Spain, stated The Independent. Researchers claimed that the group was living in the region during the end of the Ice Age. The population was facing some major changes in their lifestyle, because of the increased temperatures. Experts think that the melting ice must have severely hampered food supplies. This made the community more dependent on horses and reindeer, something which is reflected in the engraving.

Analysis unveiled that the stone is dominated by the illustration of a headless horse. "The most visible engraving, that of a headless horse turned to the right, occupies half the surface. The rump and the saddle follow the curves of the natural edge of the stone." Inrap said. "Very fine incisions may suggest the coat. The four legs are represented, but only three hooves are represented (the right hind is missing). [Both the] legs and hooves are very realistic."

Researchers further noted that the legs in the background were in an ambling position and also disassociated from the body, to provide a certain perspective. The geometric motifs were overlaid on the headless horse. The other two animals on the stone plate were a headless deer and another horse. They were smaller in size and made with light incisions. The other side possibly features the hind half of the horse.

The discovery site of the engraving has already been established as an Azilian "hunting site" by past researchers. This assertion was made based on the findings unearthed from the region. "The occupation level extends over the entire excavated area, to a depth of between 40 and 80 cm. On the ground, developments were unearthed, including four combustion structures (hearths), concentrations of heated pebbles, bone remains (fauna), and a flint knapping station," INRAP stated. Experts have also found several fauna specimens from the area like deer antlers and metapodials.