France's Hidden Cave Art Reveals Prehistoric Secrets

LE BUISSON-DE-CADOUIN, France, 26 March 2025 (BSS/AFP) – Deep within a labyrinthine cave in southwestern France, prehistoric humans who lived approximately 30,000 years ago carved depictions of horses, mammoths, and rhinoceroses into the stone walls. This extraordinary prehistoric gallery, known as the Grotte de Cussac, has remained largely unseen—until now.

Discovered in 2000 by amateur cave explorer Marc Delluc, the Grotte de Cussac in the Dordogne region is a site of immense historical significance. It not only holds delicate and stunning artworks but also ancient human remains and traces of long-extinct cave bears. Due to its fragility, French authorities have heavily restricted access, allowing only researchers to enter the cave for four weeks per year. However, for the first time, a team of AFP journalists was permitted to visit, accompanied by scientists who are working to uncover its many mysteries.

Before entering, the group underwent rigorous decontamination procedures—donning white protective clothing, head coverings, and gloves while disinfecting their footwear. These measures aim to prevent the kind of microbial damage that affected the world-famous Lascaux caves, also located in Dordogne, which were permanently closed to the public in 1963 to preserve their prehistoric frescoes.

A Hidden Time Capsule

The entrance to the Grotte de Cussac is accessible only through a narrow passage between boulders that have sealed off its inner chambers for thousands of years. Illuminated solely by headlamps, the vast caverns reveal stunning formations of stalactites and stalagmites. Delluc, who passed away in 2017, recounted the thrill of his discovery, describing the "rush of adrenaline" he felt upon seeing the ancient engravings.

"I realised the privilege I'd been granted, to enter a place that had been consecrated since the dawn of time," he once reflected.

Extending 1.6 kilometres in length, the cave features over 1,000 engravings of animals and stylised feminine figures. Scientists have dated these carvings to between 26,000 and 35,000 years ago, during the Gravettian period, a culture associated with some of Europe’s earliest known artworks.

A Sacred Space, Not a Settlement

Unlike other prehistoric sites, the Grotte de Cussac was not a dwelling but rather a place of ritual. According to archaeologist Jacques Jaubert, who leads research at the site, it was a "sanctuary," possibly used for burial rites and ceremonial purposes. The cave contains the remains of six individuals, making it the only known site where prehistoric humans both created art and conducted burials in the same location.

Evidence suggests the cave also served as a hibernation refuge for cave bears, whose claw marks and burrowing traces remain etched into the rock.

Jaubert hypothesises that the cave may have been used for initiation ceremonies, marking a transition into adulthood—a practice observed among many hunter-gatherer societies. Additionally, he suggests that it might have been seen as a portal between the living and the dead.

Deciphering Prehistoric Stories

The engravings, which Jaubert describes as "fragments of mythology," were made using flint, wood, and bone tools. They include images of bison, ibex, geese, and human figures—some of which feature exaggerated heads and tiny feet.

Researcher Valérie Feruglio, who employs 3D imaging to analyse the artwork, explains how the carvings evolved: "After testing the wall of the cave with their fingers, the artist would carve the first animal figures. Over time, more engravings were added, sometimes overlapping the earlier ones."

Despite decades of study, the cave has not yet been fully explored. Authorities are highly protective of the site, which was designated a historic monument in 2002.

Preserving the Past for the Future

Emeline Deneuve, chief heritage conservationist for the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, emphasised the importance of safeguarding the site. "We are the guardians responsible for preserving and documenting the cave. Research is encouraged, provided it aligns with conservation priorities. Our objective is also to digitally document the cave in 3D, ensuring its legacy can be shared with the public."

In October, the Dordogne department launched an exhibition in the nearby town of Le Buisson-de-Cadouin, displaying reproductions of the cave’s artwork. However, authorities have no plans to open the site to visitors, preserving its secrets deep within the earth for future generations.