Lascaux 4, a reproduction of a Stone Age cave located in the Vézère Valley in France, will open to the public on 15th December.
Lascaux 4 is a replica of almost an entire original cave using state-of-the-art techniques, which will be housed in the Centre International de l’Art Pariétal Montignac-Lascaux.
The tourist attraction will give visitors a real interactive sense of life in Prehistoric times, complete with replicas of the Stone Age art that first brought the cave to attention in 1940.
What can visitors see?
Lascaux 4 is a 200-meter long cavity, created by an alternation of more or less circular rooms and corridors-tunnels.
The experience has been separated into seven zones, each exploring a different theme relating to the cave.
Groups visiting can see wall paintings that depict many animals including horses, bulls, cows, deer, mountain goats, felines, a bear and even a fantastical figure called The Unicorn. There are also engravings and many enigmatic signs on the cave walls.
A visit will start in zone one; an observation deck on the roof of the Lascaux 4 building here groups can enjoy views over Lascaux’s surroundings.
From here visitors will follow a replicated path, like the one walked on by the four teenagers who originally stumbled upon the cave in 1940.
Groups will then visit a replica of the original cave, an outdoor garden, and an area in which state-of-the-art digital technologies are used to explore the historical and cultural significance of the art in Lascaux.
Zone four will allow visitors to examine the history of research in Lascaux and explore the work of prehistorians from the 19th century to the present day.
In zone five – the Cave Art World Tour gallery – groups will be able to learn about cave art from around the world, and find out how the images found in Lascaux fit into the context of rock art traditions.
Finally, zone six will explore the link between cave art and modern art in an interactive gallery, while zone seven will be a space in which temporary exhibitions will be mounted.
For further information visit www.projet-lascaux.com.
(Photo credit: Casson Mann).
