Paleolithic Cave Art

Ice Age Europe

Altamira

One of the first Paleolithic cave galleries to be discovered in modern times (1875), the cave at Altamira is known for its marvelous depictions of bison.

Pech Merle

Discovered in 1922 in the south of France by two teenagers, the cave at Pech Merle is famous, not only for its paintings, but for the records of children's feet impressed in soft clay and preserved for more than 10,000 years by hardening. Apparently, the children were not discouraged from playing and running through the cave galleries.

Chauvet

Created around 32,000 years ago, the art of Chauvet consists of Europe's oldest cave paintings. The cave was discovered quite recently, in 1994.