Registration for Historic Monuments 23 juin 1992 (≈ 1992)
Protection of shelters A and B and their archaeological elements.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Shelter A with its painting panel and habitat; B shelter with engravings covering its walls and archaeological deposit (cad. A3 169): by order of 23 June 1992
Origin and history
Shelters A and B des Eissartènes, located in the commune of Val in the department of Var, constitute a remarkable archaeological complex. These rock shelters, classified as Historic Monument, house rock paintings, parietal engravings and traces of prehistoric habitat. Their official protection was established by a ministerial decree in 1992, covering both parietal works and associated archaeological deposits.
Shelter A is distinguished by its painted panel and remains of its human occupation, while shelter B presents engravings covering its walls as well as a significant archaeological deposit. The precise location of these shelters, although documented in the Merimée database under Insee code 83143, is considered approximate, with a map accuracy considered poor (level 5/10). These sites are now owned by the municipality of Val, but their accessibility to the public is not explicitly mentioned in the available sources.
The Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, where these shelters are located, is known for its rich prehistoric heritage, marked by numerous human occupations dating back to remote periods. Rock shelters, such as Eissartene shelters, often served as temporary or seasonal refuges for nomadic or semi-nomadic populations. These sites offer a valuable testimony to the lifestyles, artistic practices and subsistence techniques of the prehistoric communities that have crossed this Mediterranean region.
The listing of Eissartene shelters as Historic Monuments in 1992 underscores their heritage and scientific importance. This legal protection aims to preserve the material and artistic remains they contain, while allowing for their study by archaeologists. The paintings and engravings of these shelters are part of a broader set of Provencal rock art, characterized by often stylized representations of animals, human figures or abstract symbols.
The available data, mainly from the Monumentum database and the Merimée archives, do not specify the exact period of occupancy of these shelters. However, their classification as Historic Monument and the presence of archaeological elements suggest an ancient, probably prehistoric occupation. The lack of precise dating in the sources limits the chronological understanding of these sites, but their heritage value remains undeniable for the study of past societies in the region.
