Simulation of a fire in a gallery of an archaeological cave (Chauvet-Pont d'Arc, France)

A computational simulation reveals that ancient humans likely used fire strategically within the Decorated Cave of Pont d’Arc (Chauvet-Pont d'Arc, France). The study demonstrates how controlled fires could have illuminated deep cave passages while minimizing smoke accumulation and heat damage to fragile rock art and stalactites. Researchers employed advanced computational fluid dynamics models to replicate air flow, temperature distribution, and combustion processes within the cave's narrow galleries. Findings suggest that fire was not only a light source but also a tool for thermal management, supporting hypotheses about Neanderthal or early Homo sapiens' behavioral complexity in this prehistoric setting.

Lacanette, D., Ferrier, C., Leblanc, J.-C., & Mindeguia, J.-C. (2015). Simulation of a fire in a gallery of an archaeological cave (Chauvet-Pont d’Arc, France). Proceeding of Proceedings of CHT-15. 6th International Symposium on ADVANCES IN COMPUTATIONAL HEAT TRANSFER , May 25-29, 2015, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA, 4. https://doi.org/10.1615/ichmt.2015.intsympadvcomputheattransf.1350