Caves and cave art

Abstract

This paper aims to discuss the impact and importance of the karstic caves, which are effective on the emergence and development of cave art and the rocks that generate them. The origin of cave traces to 40 thousand years and the creation of many more works of art and the importance of the rocks to the present day is very important. In particular, carbonate rocks such as limestone and marble became important spaces and raw materials in terms of art history and development. Carbonate deposits placed in the large ocean bowls during geological periods have been elevated and altered land during orogenesis periods. The fact that the carbonate rocks are soluble due to environmental conditions has led to the formation of a large number of caves depending on the size and distribution of the masses forming them. These karstic caves, which constitute a significant part of the caves in the world, have been the habitat of old people for almost 1-1.5 million years. The caves have been very important shelters for life, which became difficult due to the cold climatic conditions during the glacial periods, which were effective during the last 2 million years (Pleistocene). Under the challenging conditions of the Paleolithic period, human societies have tried to survive on the one hand and, on the other hand, achieved their symbolic thinking skills with their developing brain capacities 100,000 years ago. In the following period, the human communities that continued to develop have left very important ruins, which dates back to 40-10 thousand years ago and are regarded as works of art. Structural features of the caves and the rocks forming them are of great importance in the emergence of these works, which are interesting in their techniques as well as their thought style. Karst caves are very suitable for processing in terms of scraping, embossing and various painting techniques depending on the mineral structure of limestone. Besides, since these caves are difficult to access and are prevented from external dangers and risks, they are of great importance for the emergence of this art and reaching to the present day.

Keywords: Cave, Karstic rock, Cave art