Paläolithische Felskunst in Deutschland?

Abstract

Numerous exfoliated rock fragments from German Upper Palaeolithic sites have been claimed to bear traces of engraved or painted rock art from that period. The results of a comprehensive examination of these specimens claimed to present rock art are reported. However, they indicate that no evidence of any Palaeolithic rock art has so far been presented from Germany. The examples tendered so far consist mostly of taphonomic Scratches caused by quartz grains embedded in the shaggy für of cave bears, of natural surface accretions or discolourations on exfoliated clasts, and of anthropogenic markings made after the rock fragment in question had become exfoliated.