The Dordogne, France: Lascaux's Prehistoric Cave Paintings - Rick Steves’ Europe Travel Guide

Summary

This script explores the prehistoric cave paintings of Lascaux, dating back to the Magdalenian culture around 17,000 years ago. The paintings, discovered by chance in 1940, were damaged by visitors and are now closed to the public. A replica, Lascaux II, allows visitors to experience the art. The script delves into the sophisticated Magdalenian society, highlighting their advanced tools, jewelry, and the significance of the art as a societal memory. The National Museum of Prehistory provides context, showing the Magdalenians' advanced culture compared to traditional caveman depictions.

Takeaways

• ⏳ The cave paintings in the Lascaux region date back to around 18,000 to 10,000 BC, predating famous structures like Stonehenge and the Pyramids.
• 🐘 These prehistoric artworks were created during a time when mammoths and saber-toothed cats roamed the earth, showcasing the advanced capabilities of early humans.
• 🎨 The paintings are not simple drawings but are part of a complex and sophisticated artistic project, indicative of a developed culture known as the Magdalenians.
• 🗻 The region's limestone cliffs contain numerous painted caves, a unique geological and cultural phenomenon on Earth.
• 🐕 The Lascaux caves were discovered by chance in 1940 by four children and their dog, highlighting the serendipity of archaeological finds.
• 🌡️ The caves were closed to the public after only 15 years due to the rapid deterioration of the paintings caused by the impact of visitors.
• 🗿 Visitors can now experience the Lascaux caves through a replica, Lascaux II, which preserves the integrity of the original artwork.
• 🔮 The paintings are not hunting scenes but are believed to represent deeper meanings, possibly dreams or myths, and serve as a form of societal memory.
• 🏺 The Magdalenian culture is revealed to be highly advanced, with evidence of delicate jewelry, effective tools, and realistic carvings.
• 🕯️ The sophistication of the Magdalenian people is further emphasized by the presence of oil lamps, indicating a developed understanding of light and possibly ritualistic practices.
• 🌟 The comparison of the Lascaux art's age to the entirety of human history underscores the relative recency of these artworks and our close connection to these ancient cultures.

Q & A

What period did the prehistoric people paint inside caves in Europe?

The prehistoric people painted inside caves in Europe from about 18,000 until 10,000 BC.

What were the notable animals that roamed the earth during the time of the cave paintings?

During the time of the cave paintings, mammoths and saber-toothed cats roamed the earth.

Who were the artists responsible for the cave paintings?

The artists responsible for the cave paintings were part of the Magdalenian culture.

What is unique about the region's limestone cliffs?

The region's limestone cliffs are unique because they are honeycombed with painted caves.

How were the Lascaux caves discovered?

The Lascaux caves were discovered accidentally in 1940 by four kids and their dog.

Why were the original Lascaux caves closed to the public?

The original Lascaux caves were closed to the public because the influx of visitors caused damage to the cave paintings, such as introducing fungus and altering humidity and temperature.

What is the purpose of Lascaux II?

Lascaux II is an adjacent replica of the original Lascaux caves, allowing visitors to experience the wonder of the cave paintings without damaging the originals.

What is significant about the composition of the oxen room in Lascaux?

The oxen room in Lascaux is significant because it features a calculated composition that relates two groups of bulls facing each other and unites the three principal animals of Lascaux: horse, ox, and deer.

Why is the largest bull painting in the Lascaux caves considered important?

The largest bull painting is considered important as it is the largest artwork in the cave, measuring 16 feet from the top of the horn to the tip of the tail, and it is a central part of the sacred and complex composition within the caves.

What does the guide suggest about the purpose of the cave paintings?

The guide suggests that the cave paintings were not everyday life scenes but rather complex meanings, possibly dreams or myths, intended to be a memory for the society.

How does the National Museum of Prehistory provide context to the Lascaux paintings?

The National Museum of Prehistory provides context by housing over 18,000 artifacts, including bones, stones, and tools, which show that the Magdalenian people, who lived 15,000 years ago, were far more advanced than commonly depicted cavemen.

What does the script suggest about the sophistication of the Magdalenian culture?

The script suggests that the Magdalenian culture was highly sophisticated, as evidenced by their advanced tools, jewelry, and the realism in their art, which is comparable to modern standards despite being much older than the oldest pyramids.