The appearance of monumental megalithic sites like Göbekli Tepe along with larger-scale communal activities that potentially contributed to triggering the origin of civilization in the Fertile Crescent shortly after the Younger Dryas impact in terms of a new religion inspired by the impact.

Of course, if the astronomical interpretation presented here is correct, it implies that astronomical knowledge and notation around the Palaeolithic–Neolithic transition was far in advance of what is generally recognized. Not only was precession very likely known in the Upper Palaeolithic, it appears it was also used to date important events such as cosmic impacts.

Indeed, the Lascaux Shaft Scene shares many similarities with Pillar 43 at Göbekli Tepe, which suggests it could also be a record of another cosmic impact event in southern France, zodiacally dated to around 15,300 BCE .

This proposed impact might explain an apparent two-millennium hiatus in the occupation of Aquitaine, south-western France, during the late-middle Magdalenian period, radiocarbon dated to around the same date .

It seems, therefore, that a primitive form of astronomical proto-writing was employed, and perhaps designed, to warn future generations of the cosmic dangers they faced.

However, this level of cognition should not be surprising. The existence of accomplished Upper Palaeolithic artworks and even musical instruments already points to a fully modern mind.