Scientific sensation: previously unnoticed drawings were discovered in Shulgan-Tash Сave

Another discovery took place in the Shulgan-Tash Сave. Previously unnoticed geometric figures and even a whole panel of signs were revealed шn the Hall of Signs and Chaos.

In particular, several ansated trapeziums and various triangles were recognized. The modern equipment, which is in service in the Republican Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve "Shulgan-Tash Cave", helped to reveal another secret of the cultural monument.

Specialists of the museum reserve selected for research several sections of the walls, where obscure spots of ocher are located. Thousands of photographs were taken to identify the pattern, which were then downloaded to a computer and processed with a special program. In one of the areas called "Gap" of the Hall of Chaos, 1600 photos were taken, and it took the computer two days to process them. As a result, a very high-quality 3D model of the "Gap" was created, which showed where which image was located. The photogrammetry method revealed that all the drawings that are in the Gap form a panel. The signs here converge like a fan and stretch towards the sign of an inverted trapezoid, which is called "Bader's Hut".

The program also showed that the drawing, known as “paired lines”, turns out to be nothing more than a standard for the Shulgan-Tash cave, but a trapezoid image unique for rock art. Previously, experts studying the cave expressed such an assumption with caution. There is a similar trapezoid on the Eastern panel and the "Horses and Signs" panel. 600 photographs were enough to identify two trapezoids on the north wall of the Hall of Signs. All observations were made during a routine inventory of the preserved images state.

This is not the first time specialists of the museum reserve have used digital methods when working with rock art. Photogrammetry also helped the researchers in the preparation of the dossier for the nomination "Rock Painting of the Shulgan-Tash Cave". So, when digitizing, a clear image of a bison was obtained. This is Bison Priscus.

Most importantly, work on the study and documentation of cave drawings is carried out by a non-contact method. Specialists do not touch the surface of the cave walls, make copies of the surface with rock paintings and already in office conditions measure the volume of the studied surface, recognize drawings and signs. There is minimal impact on the cave.