The Fear of Halley's Comet Visit in 1910 is Preserved in a Cave in Southern Puerto Rico

TL;DR

This study uncovers a cave painting in Puerto Rico depicting Halley's Comet from 1910, linking ancient art to historical comet-induced societal reactions through interdisciplinary analysis.

Contribution

It is the first to connect prehistoric cave art with a specific historical astronomical event and societal response using interdisciplinary methods.

Findings

Identified the artist's cultural context

Linked the artwork to the 1910 Halley's Comet passage

Revealed societal panic related to the comet

Abstract

This paper explores a unique cave art found in southern Puerto Rico that depicts a comet over a tomb. Through interdisciplinary methods, including art interpretation, historical documentation, and demographic analysis, this study uncovered the artist's identity, the societal context of the period, and the potential motivations behind the creation of this art. The investigation revealed a connection to the passage of Halley's Comet in 1910 and the widespread panic it induced.