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Origin and history

The caves of Combe-Nègre, located in the Lot department on the commune of Frayssinet-le-Gélat, form a set of two adorned prehistoric galleries, Combe-Nègre 1 and Combe-Nègre 2. They were discovered by chance in March 2001 by three speleologists: C. Momméja, J.L. Hivier and Jo Magdelaine. These cavities, developed on three floors and linked by a diaclase, house bones, perhaps that of a woolly rhinoceros, as well as rock paintings attributed to the Gravettien or the Solutrean.

The paintings of the caves of Combe-Nègro include black punctuated signs, a negative hand, and herbivorous profiles. In Combe-Nègre 1, there are thirteen digital punctuations, one bison, two superimposed horses, and remains of black paint, while Combe-Nègre 2 has nearly 480 black punctuations and 15 red. These works, made with a colouring finger, recall those of the caves of Pech Merle and Cougnac. A flint blade characteristic of the upper Paleolithic was also discovered in a 12 metre well.

The caves, private property, are not accessible to the public. They were listed as historical monuments on 26 February 2010 for their archaeological and artistic value. Their discovery has enriched the knowledge of the parietal art of Quercy, an area already known for its prehistoric sites like Pech Merle. The studies carried out by specialists, including Michel Lorblanchet, have made it possible to document these works and their geological context.

The location of the caves, near the valley of the Thèze, and their structure in several floors underline their importance in understanding the human occupation and artistic practices of the Upper Paleolithic. Their inscription as a historic monument protects a fragile heritage, while limiting its access to preserve paintings and archaeological remains.

Available sources, including publications in Les dossiers d'archéologie (2007) and Spelle Oc (2002), as well as press articles such as La Défêche du Midi (2001), attest to the scientific and media interest generated by this discovery. These caves are part of a wider network of prehistoric sites in the Occitanie region, contributing to the understanding of the art and life of the Paleolithic men.

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