Cave of Mayrières supérieure, Prehistoric cave in Bruniquel, France
The Cave of Mayrières supérieure is a prehistoric site in Bruniquel featuring natural stone chambers with ancient geological formations. The cave contains multiple passages and chambers that developed over millennia through natural processes.
The cave was officially protected as a historical monument in 1993, marking its recognition as significant to French prehistory. It has been visited and used by humans since ancient times, making it a record of habitation spanning many centuries.
Two prehistoric bison paintings once marked this as the only decorated cave in the Tarn-et-Garonne region, reflecting early human artistic expression. The empty walls today stand as a record of how people created and left their mark in these stone chambers.
Access to the cave is restricted to protect the site and typically requires a guided visit. Visitors should plan ahead and arrange visits in advance since spontaneous entry is not permitted.
In 1992, members of a French scouting organization accidentally erased the ancient bison paintings while attempting to remove modern graffiti from the walls. The mishap drew international attention and later earned recognition with a satirical scientific award.
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