Lascaux is a Palaeolithic cave complex famous for its cave paintings. The painting are spread throughout a series of galleries and depict realistic images of large animals sprinkled with human hand prints.

Research has placed the iconography of Lascaux at the beginning of the Magdalenian Age, approximately 15,000 years ago.

The cave was discovered by four teenagers in 1940. By 1955, the 1,200 visitors a day had damaged the paintings and the cave was closed to the public, but a replica has been built 200m away where two galleries, Great Hall of the Bulls and the Painted Gallery have been reproduced. Strange to build a replica of a cave.

Written by  Lindsay Drury.

Add comment

Comments, reviews and questions

Vézère Valley

The Vézère Valley in the Dordogne contains over 147 prehistoric sites and 25 decorated caves, making it one of the richest areas of prehistory in Europe. These sites date back to Paleolithic times. The Lascaux Cave is the most famous prehistoric site, rich and detailed hunting scenes - so famous, in fact, that they had to build a replica for the tourists, who are not allowed in the real thing.

 

Review posted 1st February 2008 by katie_f.

Add a comment, review or question

Make a comment Ask a question Write a review

Review title

Your comment

Your rating

Choose rating... Don't go Go Must go

Your name

Your email address