Victoria cave researcher, Genevieve von Petzinger,is suddenly ina pretty good positiontofind what she calls the Holy Grail of her field.

The University of Victoriapaleoanthropologist, who specializes in European cave art, has been awarded a National Geographic grant to test genetic material found in cave wall paint in Spain to try tofind out who forgot to sign their work at least 40,000 years ago.

A DNA test, which would reveal genetic mutations due to evolution, could help pinpoint the time perioda painting was made and may helpdetermine if the art was actuallythe handiwork of humans or Neanderthals who lived about130,000 to 40,000 years ago.

"'It would just be so fascinating to see the identity," said PetzingerTuesday on On The Island."The million dollar question is, did Neanderthals paint?"

And there is already someindication, according to von Petzinger, thatthis extinct species was, in fact, artistic.

Von Petzingersaid, a few years ago, some of her colleagues tested samples of minerals they foundcovering cave drawings and determined the minerals to be 65,000 years old, which von Petzinger said indicated the art underneath was older and, therefore, drawn byNeanderthals.

But, she said, this dating methodwas hotly debated by others in the field.

"It was quite the big drama going back and forth," said von Petzinger, who then thought maybe genetic testing could bea way to get a definitive answer.

Genetictesting can even pinpoint the artist's gender and, saidvon Petzinger, possibly lead to findinga living descendent.

"This would be a world first," she said, her voice brimming with excitement.

Von Petzingersaid she is incredibly grateful to colleagues, the Spanish government and National Geographic for being willing to believe in her "crazy idea."

But it's not without precedent.

She said other researchers havehad success testing genetic material found in dirt on the floor of caves in Croatia and she is "cautiously optimistic"she will have similar success with paint substances.

There is a bit of a snag though.

The money is in place, and all the players are on board, but it could be awhile before von Petzinger can board a plane.

She said her tentative plan is to be back in the caves, where she previously spentasignificant amount of time doing field work, by summer 2021.

The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown a wrench into field work for many academics, but von Petzinger said she is staying connected with colleagues online andit isa great time for scientists to slog through statistical analysis work they might as well get done while they can't get out.

And it could be because of her line of work, but von Petzingeris cautiously optimistic about the current state of the world aswell.

"This pandemic is certainly a pretty scary thing, but our ancestors have survived some pretty scary things themselves," she said. "Our species is very resilient."

To hear the complete interview withGenevieve von Petzingeron On The Island tap here.

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Did Neanderthals draw? This B.C. researcher is going to test DNA in old cave art to find out - CBC.ca

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