Field Trip 3: The Myth of Lascaux

Date: 2nd September, 2021

Field Trip Leaders: Delphine Lacanette (Univ. of Bordeaux) and Valerie Plagnes (Sarbonne Univ.) 

Description: 

The Lascaux Cave, located in the Dordogne department in France, is considered to be one of the most important prehistoric caves in the world, containing some of the best-known Upper Paleolithic art, and is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Since its discovery, several problems of preservation have arisen. By 1955 carbon dioxide from the breath of these visitors had already visibly damaged the paintings. 

With the increase in CO2 levels and water vapour observed in the cave, it was decided to close to the public in 1963 in order to preserve the paintings and engravings. Around that time the first basic scientific research program was launched for its conservation, with scientists attempting to maintain the cave in a stable state by using remote monitoring to record the different parameters in the cave, and this work continues today. In December 2016, the International Centre for Cave Art (also called Lascaux 4) opened in Montignac, near the Lascaux cave. In this Centre, a complete replica retraces the discovery of the famous decorated cave, and enquiries into the position that Lascaux occupies in cave art and its relation to contemporary creation.

Programme:

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