Timeline

Heritage classified

Origin and history

Sasisiloaga Cave is a major archaeological site located in the town of Ossas-Suhare in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques (New Aquitaine). This monument, dated from the Upper Paleolithic, is distinguished by the presence of prehistoric paintings, artistic testimonies of the hunter-gatherers societies of that time. The works, located in the Harregia and Espela districts, illustrate the cultural and symbolic importance of the adorned caves in southwestern France during the Prehistory.

The Sasisiloaga Cave is classified as a Historical Monument by order of 11 June 1953 and is legally protected because of its exceptional heritage value. The protected elements specifically include the cave and its paintings, as well as associated cadastral plots (B2 459, 462). Although available sources (Monumentum, Merimée base) mention an approximate location near Goyheneix, geographical accuracy remains limited, with a note of 5/10 for the reliability of coordinates.

The site is part of a regional context rich in parietal art, characteristic of the Paleolithic period in Aquitaine. These adorned caves, often linked to ritual or artistic practices, offer valuable insight into the lifestyles and beliefs of prehistoric populations. Their preservation makes it possible today to study the first artistic expressions of humanity in Europe.

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