Recorrido por la CUEVA de LASCAUX y todas sus pinturas

Summary

The video delves into the fascinating discovery and history of the Lascaux Cave in southwestern France, renowned for its stunning Paleolithic paintings, which date back to over 17,000 years. The cave, discovered in 1940 by Marcel Ravidat and his friends, contains more than 600 animal paintings, including horses, deer, bison, and felines. The art, believed to be linked to rituals or spiritual themes, is meticulously detailed and created using natural pigments. The video explores the cave’s significance, the challenges faced in preserving the paintings, and a replica site open to visitors, bringing attention to the awe-inspiring prehistoric art and its lasting impact on humanity.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Lascaux Cave is a Paleolithic site located in southwestern France, featuring over 600 paintings of animals, including horses, deer, bison, and felines.
• 😀 The paintings in the cave date back to approximately 15,000 BC, making them part of the Upper Paleolithic period.
• 😀 The cave was discovered by Marcel Ravidat in 1940 when he and his dog found an opening while chasing a rabbit.
• 😀 The first paintings in the cave were discovered on September 12, 1940, and later studied by archaeologist Henri Breuil.
• 😀 The cave was opened to the public in 1948, attracting over one million visitors in the first 15 years, but was closed in 1963 due to damage caused by human breath and light exposure.
• 😀 Despite the closure, algae and fungi continue to pose a threat to the preservation of the paintings, but efforts are ongoing to protect the art.
• 😀 A replica of the Lascaux Cave, called Lascaux II, was opened in 1983 to allow visitors to experience the art without damaging the original site.
• 😀 The cave is named after a nearby estate owned by the Laas family in the 17th century, which later passed through several owners before being associated with the discovery.
• 😀 The paintings use natural pigments, including red ochre, yellow, and black, derived from minerals like hematite, iron hydroxide, and charcoal.
• 😀 The paintings were created using various techniques, such as applying pigment with fingers, brushes made from moss, or blowing pigment through hollow bones or plants.
• 😀 Some of the most notable paintings include a large panel of horses and the famous 'unicorn' figure, a horse with two straight horns.

Q & A

What is the significance of the Lascaux cave?

The Lascaux cave is a Paleolithic site in southwestern France, known for its over 600 paintings, primarily of animals. It is important for understanding prehistoric art, especially due to its intricate depictions of animals like horses, deer, bison, and felines, which likely held spiritual or ritualistic significance.

Who discovered the Lascaux cave and how?

The cave was discovered by a young boy named Marcel Ravidat on September 8, 1940. While walking his dog near Montignac, Marcel's dog chased a rabbit into a hole in the ground. Upon investigating, Marcel found a 20-centimeter opening leading to the cave.

What materials were used to create the paintings in the Lascaux cave?

The paintings in the Lascaux cave were created using natural pigments, such as hematite (for red), ochre (for yellow), and charcoal (for black). These pigments were applied with various techniques, including blowing through hollow bones or plants, and using brushes made from moss.

Why was the Lascaux cave closed to the public?

The cave was closed in 1963 due to the damage caused by the high number of visitors. The exhalation from about 1,200 visitors per day led to algae growth on the cave walls, which, along with exposure to light, caused irreversible damage to the paintings.

What is the replica of the Lascaux cave and where is it located?

The replica of the Lascaux cave is called Lascaux II, located about 200 meters from the original cave. It was opened in 1983 and provides visitors with the opportunity to see replicas of two of the original cave’s sections, including the Hall of the Bulls.

What is the Hall of the Bulls in the Lascaux cave?

The Hall of the Bulls, or Rotunda, is a large area in the Lascaux cave known for its grand depictions of bulls, horses, and other animals. Some of the paintings here are up to 5 meters long. Notably, it contains a figure often referred to as the 'unicorn,' a large animal with two straight horns.

What role do the Lascaux cave's paintings play in understanding prehistory?

The paintings in the Lascaux cave are essential for understanding prehistoric art and possibly the spiritual or ritualistic practices of Paleolithic humans. The depictions of animals, often in dynamic poses, suggest a connection between the natural world and the spiritual beliefs of early humans.

What are some of the most significant depictions in the Lascaux cave?

Some of the most significant depictions in the Lascaux cave include the 'unicorn,' a large bovine figure, various types of horses, bulls, and a rare representation of a bear. These images are spread across various sections of the cave, including the Hall of the Bulls and the Axial Gallery.

How did the prehistoric artists use the natural features of the cave in their artwork?

Prehistoric artists in the Lascaux cave took advantage of the natural features of the cave, such as the reliefs and contours of the walls, to enhance the visual effects of their paintings. This allowed them to create more dynamic and lifelike depictions of animals.

What other artifacts have been found in the Lascaux cave, and what were their use?

In addition to the paintings, small artifacts like lamps made of red sandstone and limestone, used to hold animal fat for lighting, have been found. These lamps were crucial for illuminating the cave as the artists worked in its depths.