France > French History > Prehistoric France > Cro-magnon era
Cro-Magnon man - Prehistoric France
Our interest in Prehistoric France starts around 35,000 years ago. Following the 19th century discoveries of Cro-Magnon man in the Dordogne region, and the first cave paintings, the region has been found to have one of the greatest concentrations of prehistoric artefacts anywhere in the world. The best known cave paintings are those at Lascaux, although those more recently discovered at Chauvet in the Pyrenees are now thought to be much older.
It is a fascinating story, albeit slow in the production - learning to make ever more advanced tools form flint took Homo Erectus more than 100,000 years. Meanwhile cave paintings were 'invented' and it is very probable that other social rituals were developed at the same time.
In the Dordogne region, and above all in the Vézère Valley, the story can be seen unfolding in a multitude of important cliff dwellings, caves and other sites. The most famous, of course, are the world renowned caves at Lascaux, and their stunning paintings of animals. The discovery of the remains of Neanderthal man (from 80,000 years ago) and Cro-Magnon man (30,000 years old) in the same region ensure it's place in history as the 'origin of mankind in Europe'.
Cave painting at Lascaux
The reason for the paintings remains unknown. Sometimes representing animals that might have been hunted, but perhaps being animals that were considered sacred for some reason, we can now only speculate what prompted man 30,000 years ago to take a small candle to the deep recesses of a cave and paint on the walls.
Interestingly, it is thought that the caves were not generally inhabited, largely because of the darkness. Rather, there would be a settlement around the entrance to a cave, with the 'front cave' used for shelter and storage perhaps and little reason to enter into the depths of the cave.
Visiting Caves and seeing Cave Paintings
Note that because of the sensitivity of the paintings to environmental change, Lascaux is now visited at Lascaux II, a (very good quality) replica nearby, rather than the original, and Chauvet is not open to the public, although a replica might also be prepared there at some point. Numerous 'lesser' cave paintings can be seen in the Dordogne region, most around Les Eyzies.