Oldest cave art in North America found in Tennessee

Tennessee is home to the oldest cave art identified in North America. A professor at the University of Tennessee led the charge that uncovered hundreds of prehistoric images in the Cumberland plateau.

Stay informed about what's happening in East Tennessee. Find the latest news, weather and sports on our website and social media:

[jameselliott]

Spear points are being found in the Chesapeake bay that are dated over 22, 000 years old. There's a history here in the America's that we don't know yet.

[drewpackman]

Marion smith pictured briefly. He died last week.
Rest in peace Marion. We will miss you.
I will never forget the very deep trip we did together.

[smokey]

The writing shown in one of the images is written in the Cherokee syllabary.

[worldwidestuff]

I was hunting, gathering, and fishing today. Not much has changed.

[FacesintheStone]

We have a paleo or old site here in NC. Incredible art left behind in the form of bird effigies.

[haleynunley]

I live here in Tn on the Cumberland Plateau, between Chattanooga and Nashville. We have some amazing views, as well as caves. ❤

[melvinlee]

I have a cave on my property. JB was kind enough to leave his initials on the walls in several places for us to see for hundred of years!

[ssherrierable]

I don’t think red and black were for life and death I just think the colors they had access to were limited

[IcEIcEBaby-nc]

Nothing as amazing as history and lots and lots of caves with history all around in the hills of TN

[FoulOwl]

"Red is the color of life. Black is the color of death...".
What bullshit!

[bethbartlett]

6, 000 is not the oldest, Northern Nevada has the oldest Petroglyphs in the USA to date, they have some 11, 000 - 20, 000 years old. I will try to return with the specifics, it may be at the Windover, Nevada, Cave area.

I believe there are more in Tennessee, Kentucky, and N Georgia that are far older than 6, 000 yrs.

The Ancients were capable Seafarers

Exciting find, nevertheless. We will continue to discover far greater details, going back further, as we progress with the younger Academics, whom have a broader vision and greater tech capabilities.

[rhondasisco-cleveland]

I sent him my pics (from the plateau) and he blew me off.

[causeitsthere]

Donner summit has petroglyphs that are dated to 9k to 10k years before present. Snake patterns and bear paws.

Now this reporter should connect the Ohio and Mississippi valley mound builders to this culture. Serpent mound is lined up for the summer equinox.

[GCharlesLangisChip]

What about the petroglyphs in northern NV. They are dated 11000 years old?

[Icuranidiot]

I guess they wrote "Chattanooga" as well

[WestTNReb]

Can anyone provide a brief explanation as to how the dates of these paintings is determined?

[howardX]

I love hey they pretend to know what these ancient people were thinking when they made these paintings!

[shmatasfs]

There s a Clovis era cave in Barstow. Gonna look for it and try and make a video this weekend. “Newberry cave”

[adamdemirs]

I find ancient arrowheads all over my land in Texas just walking around.

[tonymorrell]

It's so odd that theses are the oldest in north America so far. But the oldest in south America are found in Columbia. Sistine chapel of the Amazon. 8 miles of animal art. The youngest drawings are 12, 000 years old. You would think they would find even older art in north America then