Ancient Cave Art Suggests First Humans in Ireland

An international team of researchers, including Dr. George Nash from the University of Adelaide, has concluded that the first humans to reach Ireland arrived from what is now Wales approximately 15,000 years ago, utilizing a land bridge that existed during the last Ice Age. This conclusion follows the discovery of cave art at eight sites in south-west Ireland, which dates back at least 15,000 years, pushing back the earliest confirmed human presence in Ireland by about 5,000 years.

Previously, the oldest known archaeological evidence was around 10,500 years old. The land bridge connected modern-day Pembrokeshire in Wales to the Rosslare area in south-east Ireland, spanning approximately 46 miles (76 km).

The researchers used a computer algorithm to identify candidate caves, confirming rock art in eight locations. The team has opted not to disclose the precise locations of the caves to prevent vandalism and looting.

Dr. Nash noted that early humans likely moved westward from Wales due to population pressures.