Abri de Laussel, Rock shelter and archaeological site in Marquay, France.
Abri de Laussel is a rock shelter and archaeological site located at roughly 100 meters elevation along a cliff face, with depths ranging between 15 and 25 meters. It contains the only Paleolithic sculpted frieze open to visitors, displaying 14 figures that mostly represent horses.
Archaeological excavations between 1908 and 1914 by Jean-Gaston Lalanne uncovered over 26,800 artifacts from the Middle and Upper Paleolithic periods. These findings revealed a long span of human occupation at this location across thousands of years.
Five carved stone blocks discovered here include the Venus of Laussel, a figure holding a horn. These representations offer insight into the worldview and beliefs of Paleolithic people.
Access to the shelter requires attention to uneven terrain and steep passages, particularly during wet conditions. Visitors should wear appropriate footwear and take time to examine the carved details on the stone blocks closely.
A volcanic pebble used as a mortar dates to between 70,000 and 40,000 years ago and was found in the smaller section of the shelter. This discovery shows that people were already making and using specialized tools at this early time.
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