Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Cave of Columns, also known as the Bayol Cave, is located in the commune of Collias, in the Gard department in the Occitanie region. Discovered in 1927 by Abbé Jean-Frédéric Bayol, it is one of five adorned caves known in the Gard. His paintings, undated but attributed to the Aurignacian, include animal representations (bouquetins, cervids, bears) and positive ochre hands. The archaeological furniture found at the entrance, such as soft flints and ibex bones, is preserved at the Nîmes Museum.

The cave is distinguished by its use of natural rock reliefs for certain paintings, such as a striped bouquet or a fish head. The works, mostly in red or black linear lines, are characteristic of the Aurignaco-perigordian parietal art of Languedoc. Ranked a historic monument in 1931, the cave suffered from increased humidity after the enlargement of its entrance for explorations. Its altitude ranges from 100 to 150 metres, with a total length of 168 metres.

Wildlife remains identified include reindeer, deer, horse, ibex, lion, bear and panther, reflecting local biodiversity in Paleolithic. Among the geometric and animal patterns, a horse head and five positive yellow ochre hands stand out. Father Bayol, who gave him his name, also mentioned signs in the form of C or O, now partially disappeared. The cave thus illustrates the regional prehistoric art, between Ardèche, Hérault and Gard.

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