Cave of Tuc d'Audoubert, Prehistoric cave art site in Montesquieu-Avantès, France.
The Cave of Tuc d'Audoubert is an underground site with around 385 artworks from the Old Stone Age, including carvings, paintings, and clay figures of animals and abstract marks. The works are spread across several interconnected passages, with the clay sculptures being the most remarkable creations.
Three brothers discovered the cave in 1912, which caught the attention of researchers and led to the investigation of the Magdalenian artworks created roughly 15,000 years ago. The findings revealed that people at that time were already skilled crafts people who shaped their surroundings artistically.
The clay figures inside show animals and symbolic forms that visitors can admire from a distance without touching the precious surfaces. These works reflect how people at that time saw animals and wanted to represent them.
The cave is closed to visitors and kept under strict protection to preserve the ancient artworks. This means you cannot enter the original site yourself, but nearby archaeological museums often offer information and replicas.
Small footprints of children were found near the clay figures, suggesting that young people may have participated in ritual activities at this location. These discoveries indicate that the place held social importance for the community at that time.
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