Take a virtual tour through the Lascaux caves

YOU can take a virtual tour of the Grotte de Lascaux in a great 3D representation of the famous caves.

Travel through the Hall of the Bulls, and see the deer, bison and men painted on the walls thousands of years ago.

The caves, which are found in the Dordogne, were closed to the public after fears over them being damaged, instead a copy was built close to the cave entrance for visitors to stroll around.

But if you can’t get to the caves of Lascaux then this online version offers you the chance to explore the different sections and if you slide down the index bar to the left of the screen an English language version is available.

What are the Lascaux Caves? A guide to these prehistoric wonders

The Lascaux caves are a complex of caves located in southwestern France. They are famous for their prehistoric cave paintings, which were discovered by four teenagers in 1940. The paintings depict various animals, such as horses, deer, and bulls, as well as abstract symbols and human figures.

Take a ‘real life’ tour of Lascaux

• From Sarlat-la-Canéda: Lascaux IV and Cave Art Full-Day Tour

The Lascaux caves are estimated to be around 17,000 years old and are considered to be some of the finest examples of prehistoric art in the world. The paintings are thought to have been created by early humans using natural pigments and a variety of techniques, such as blowing paint through tubes and using their hands to create stencils. The caves were used for various purposes over the centuries, including as a burial site and a shelter for animals. Today, the caves are closed to the public to protect the delicate paintings from damage.

Discovery of the Lascaux Caves

The Lascaux Caves are a complex of caves located in southwestern France. They were discovered in 1940 by a group of four teenage boys who were out walking in the woods. The boys stumbled upon the entrance to the caves and decided to explore them.

The caves were found to contain a series of prehistoric paintings, which are now considered to be some of the finest examples of Palaeolithic art in the world. The discovery of the Lascaux Caves was a major event in the field of archaeology and has led to a better understanding of the lives and culture of early humans.

Initial exploration

After discovering the caves, the boys went to a local schoolteacher named Léon Laval, who was also an amateur archaeologist. Laval was amazed by what he saw and immediately contacted the French government to report the discovery.

A team of experts was sent to the site to investigate further. They found that the caves contained over 600 paintings, including depictions of animals such as horses, deer, and bulls. The paintings were created using a variety of techniques, including finger painting, blowing paint through a straw, and using brushes made from animal hair.

The experts also discovered that the caves had been used by early humans as a shelter. They found evidence of fire pits, stone tools, and other artefacts that indicated that the caves had been occupied for thousands of years.

In conclusion, the discovery of the Lascaux Caves was a significant event in the history of archaeology. The caves contain some of the most important examples of prehistoric art in the world and have provided valuable insights into the lives and culture of early humans.

Description of the Lascaux caves

The Lascaux Caves are a complex network of underground caves located in southwestern France. They were discovered by a group of teenagers in 1940 and contain some of the most well-preserved examples of prehistoric art in the world. The caves are estimated to be around 17,000 years old and were likely used by early humans as a place of worship and ritual.

Layout of the caves

The Lascaux Caves are made up of a series of interconnected chambers and corridors, totalling over 600 meters in length. The main chamber, known as the Hall of the Bulls, is the largest and contains several large paintings of bulls, horses, and other animals. Other chambers include the Axial Gallery, the Chamber of Felines, and the Nave.

Paintings and Engravings

The walls of the Lascaux Caves are covered in a variety of prehistoric paintings and engravings. The most famous of these are the large, vivid depictions of bulls and horses in the Hall of the Bulls. Other animals depicted in the caves include deer, bison, and aurochs. The paintings were created using natural pigments, such as iron oxide and charcoal, and were likely made using a variety of techniques, including finger painting and blowing paint through reeds.

Significance of the art

The art found in the Lascaux Caves is significant for several reasons. First, it provides a glimpse into the lives and beliefs of early humans. The paintings and engravings depict animals that were an important source of food and materials for early humans, as well as abstract symbols that may have had religious or spiritual significance. Additionally, the art is significant for its technical and artistic sophistication. The use of shading and perspective in the paintings suggests a level of artistic skill that was previously thought to be absent in prehistoric art.

Overall, the Lascaux Caves are an important archaeological site that provides valuable insight into the lives and beliefs of early humans. The art found in the caves is a testament to the creativity and skill of our ancestors and serves as a reminder of the rich cultural heritage that we share.

Book a ‘real life’ tour of Lascaux

• From Sarlat-la-Canéda: Lascaux IV and Cave Art Full-Day Tour