Period of attribution of digital lines Paléolithique supérieur (≈ 1505000 av. J.-C.)
Allocation subject to betting drawings.
1992
Discovery of the cave
Discovery of the cave 1992 (≈ 1992)
Prospects in the gorges of Ardèche.
15 mai 2017
Registration as Historic Monument
Registration as Historic Monument 15 mai 2017 (≈ 2017)
Official protection by ministerial decree.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The cave called Grotte des Potiers de Gaud, at the place called Gaud, as indicated on the plan annexed to the decree (C 1250 and 1241): inscription by order of 15 May 2017
Origin and history
The Cave des Potiers de Gaud is a major archaeological site located in the commune of Saint-Remèze, in the department of Ardèche. Discovered in 1992 during systematic explorations of the cavities of the gorges of the Ardèche, this cave is distinguished by the presence of digital traces made on its clay cover. These drawings, attributed subject to the higher Paleolithic, bear witness to an ancient human occupation in this karst region.
The cave has been officially recognized as a Historic Monument and protected by a registration order dated 15 May 2017. The protected elements include the cave itself, located at the place called Gaud, as delimited on the plan annexed to the decree (cadastral parks C 1250 and 1241). The precise location of the site remains approximate, with an accuracy estimated at 5/10 according to available data, and its administrative address is associated with the municipality of Saint-Remèze, although GPS coordinates suggest a proximity to Labastide-de-Virac.
A rare example of parietal art attributed to this period is the digital traces discovered in the Cave of the Potiers de Gaud. Their study sheds light on the artistic and symbolic practices of the populations of the Upper Paleolithic in the gorges of the Ardèche. Although the cave is owned by the department of Ardèche, practical information about its access or visit is not specified in the available sources.
