Rocher gravé de Fornols, Prehistoric petroglyph site in Campôme, France.
The Rocher gravé de Fornols is a rock covered with engravings in the mountainous Pyrenees region of France, featuring various animal figures and geometric patterns. The stone displays a diverse arrangement of carved lines and shapes distributed across its surface.
The engravings were created during the Magdalenian period, a time at the end of the last ice age when people roamed this mountain region. The site remained hidden until it was rediscovered in the early 1980s and subsequently protected as a historical monument.
The engravings depict animals from mountain life such as ibex, chamois, and various bird species that were familiar to people of that time. They offer insight into what the people who lived here thousands of years ago noticed and valued in their surroundings.
The site is difficult to access and lies off the main paths in a dense forest area, so it is best to seek local information beforehand. Comfortable shoes and patience when searching are helpful, as the terrain is rough and the engravings remain hidden within the trees.
This is the only known example of open-air stone age rock art discovered in France and the Pyrenees region. Its isolated location deep within dense forest has protected it from destruction and weathering over thousands of years.
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