Chauvet Cave: The Art of Earliest Times

by Jean Clottes

This book offers the first in-depth look at a significant archaeological site. The full-color photographs make this tightly restricted site accessible to all.

Genres: Art, History, Nonfiction, Archaeology, France

232 pages, Hardcover

First published May 3, 2001

About the author

Prehistoriador francés. Nació en el Pirineo francés en 19331​ y comenzó a estudiar Arqueología en 1959, durante la enseñanza secundaria. Inicialmente se centró en los dólmenes neolíticos, que eran el tema de su tesis doctoral de 1975 en la Universidad de Toulouse.​ Después de ser nombrado director de las antigüedades prehistóricas de Mediodía-Pirineos en 1971, comenzó a estudiar arte rupestre prehistórico con el fin de cumplir con las responsabilidades de esta posición.

Durante los años siguientes lideró una serie de excavaciones de yacimientos prehistóricos de la región. En 1992, fue nombrado Inspector General de Arqueología del Ministerio de Cultura de Francia y en 1993 también como asesor científico de arte rupestre prehistórico en el Ministerio de Cultura francés. Se retiró oficialmente en 1999, pero sigue estando aun activo como colaborador de campo.

Reviews

[Connie G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spelunkers Jean-Marie Chauvet, Eliette Brunel, and Christian Hillaire discovered Chaubet Cave in southern France in 1994. Jean Clottes and his team were chosen by the French government to do a study of the limestone cave which has evidence of human activity dating over 30,000 years ago. The team found wonderful cave paintings--mostly animals, hand prints and other signs--which were made using various artistic techniques. They also studied the cave floor which contained stalagmites, hearths for making charcoal, skulls and bones of at least 170 bears who had used the cave for hibernation, as well as evidence of other wildlife. The book is a group effort of thirty team members who wrote interesting chapters about the various chambers of the large cave, accompanied by high quality photographs of the cave art. Readers with an interest in art or archeology will find this book a real treat.

[Peter Tillman · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exceptionally good cave-art book, that was written not long after this French cave was discovered. If you are interested in prehistoric cave art, this book is a must-read! Beautifully-reproduced photos. The cave itself is closed to the general public. Here is more information and some photos: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chauvet...
This might be my favorite: a wooly rhino! https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wasn't quite what I expected and I did skim through, looking at only the pictures in some parts, but I still enjoyed it. I have a much deeper appreciation for parietal art now. I did wish there was some more "Interpretation" or "Background" sections, for those of us that aren't familiar with this area of study, but instead of frustration it has sparked a desire to learn more.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful photos in this book and very informative.

[Elen Sentier]

A must-read to learn about our ancient ancestors. Fantastic pictures too.

[Naina Kaylina · Rating 5 out of 5]

So fascinating!! :) :)