Period of creation of works Paléolithique supérieur (≈ 1505000 av. J.-C.)
Dating of clay statues and reliefs.
21 août 1922
Discovery of clay reliefs
Discovery of clay reliefs 21 août 1922 (≈ 1922)
Norbert Casteret discovers the works after crossing two siphons.
18 février 1924
Historical monument classification
Historical monument classification 18 février 1924 (≈ 1924)
Classification of galleries and caves known as Houantaou Underground.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Galeries et grottos sousterrain de Houantaou : classification by decree of 18 February 1924
Key figures
Norbert Casteret - Explorer and Discoverer
Discovered clay reliefs in 1922.
Origin and history
The Montespan Cave, also known as the Houantaou Underground, has been an underground cavity classified as historical monuments since 18 February 1924. Located in the communes of Montespan and Ganties in Haute-Garonne (Occitanie), it is famous for its parietal art scenes and clay animal statues, dating from the Upper Paleolithic. These works are among the oldest in the world and have contributed to bear worship theory.
The major discovery of the cave took place on August 21, 1922, when Norbert Casteret crossed two siphons in apnea and discovered clay reliefs shaped by man, representing horses and an accephalous bear with a bear skull at his feet. These elements, dated from the Upper Paleolithic period, were at the origin of the theory of bear worship developed by prehistorians from the 1920s. Despite this official discovery, references to this place appear in late nineteenth century books, suggesting an earlier knowledge.
The name of the cave, "Hountaou" or "Hountaou", comes from the gascon Hont or Hontau, meaning "source" or "source". This term refers to a resurgence or natural source, typical of karst formations in the region. The cave, dug in the Urgonian limestone, is part of a larger underground network.
Since its discovery, the Montespan Cave has undergone significant degradation due to repeated visits. Some reliefs have disappeared, and sometimes only the testimonies of the first discoverers remain. Today, it is closed to the public to preserve the remaining remains.
The cave is located at the approximate address: 62 Vge de Montespan, 31260 Montespan, in the department of Haute-Garonne. It is owned by the municipality and protected by its classification as historical monuments.
