Origin and history
The Lascaux Cave, discovered on September 12, 1940 by four teenagers (Marcel Ravidat, Jacques Marsal, Georges Agniel and Simon Coencas), is one of the most famous prehistoric sites in the world. Located in the valley of the Vézère in Dordogne, it contains more than 1,900 animal representations and geometric signs, mainly aurochs, horses, deer and felines, made about 21,000 years ago. These works, attributed to the ancient Magdalenian, earned the cave the nickname "Sistine Chapel of Parietal Art", popularized by Abbé Henri Breuil, the first expert to study it in 1940.
Opened to the public in 1948, the cave quickly suffered from the degradation caused by the influx of visitors (1,000 per day), causing internal climate imbalances. In 1955, the appearance of algae ("green disease") and limestone deposits ("white disease") led to its definitive closure in 1963. Since then, only scientists have access, under strict control, to preserve this fragile heritage. Studies by prehistorians such as André Glory, Norbert Aujoulat and Brigitte Delluc have documented and analysed the artistic techniques and pigments used (iron oxides, manganese, coal).
To allow the public to discover this treasure, several facsimiles were created. Lascaux II (1983), a partial reproduction 200 metres from the original, now hosts 250,000 annual visitors. Lascaux IV (2016), an international parietal art centre, offers an integral replica of adorned areas, combining digital technologies and physical reconstructions. These initiatives aim to reconcile conservation and dissemination, while preserving the original cave, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.
Lascaux's paintings, made with natural pigments and sophisticated techniques (polychromy, fumes, perspective), still raise questions about their meaning. Interpretations vary: shamanic sanctuary (Jean Clottes), mythological narrative (Thérèse Guiot-Houdart), or link with astronomical phenomena (controversial hypothesis). The dating of the works, originally attributed to the Solutrean by Leroi-Gourhan, is now mostly located in the ancient Magdalenian (around 21,000 years), thanks to the 14 carbon dating and archaeological remains (sagaies, grease lamps).
The cave also inspired cultural representations, such as postage stamps (1968, 2019) and a 10 euro coin (2011). Its recent history is marked by conservation crises, including the proliferation of fungi (Fusarium solani) in 2001, controlled after drastic treatments and a drastic reduction in human access (200 hours/year). Today Lascaux remains a symbol of prehistoric art, studied by an international scientific community and protected by strict protocols.
The domain of Lascaux, mentioned in the 15th century, was a seigneury including a house, land and a mill. The hill housing the cave was then covered with vines and chestnut trees, as evidenced by a 1667 document. Successive property of the families of Lascaux, Cheylard, and finally of the La Rochefoucauld-Montbel (who gave it to the state in 1972), this site illustrates the link between natural heritage and local history. The fortuitous discovery of the cave, often Romance (the role of a dog or a rabbit), is part of a tradition of major archaeological rediscoveries in Périgord, a region rich in adorned caves.
Announcements
Please log in to post a review