Chauvet–Pont d'Arc — Detached Panel Bear Gallery
Grotte Chauvet · Chauvet Bear
Upper Palaeolithic to Iron Age (30000 BCE–500 CE)·Palaeolithic to Iron Age·🇫🇷 Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Ardèche, Vallon-Pont-d'Arc, France
About
About Chauvet–Pont d'Arc — Detached Panel Bear Gallery
Chauvet–Pont d'Arc — Detached Panel Bear Gallery in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Ardèche, Vallon-Pont-d'Arc, France is a Upper Palaeolithic to Iron Age (30000 BCE–500 CE) rock art attributed to Palaeolithic to Iron Age. Systematic survey and coring document stratified deposits. The site includes a principal platform and workshop area. Dimensions panel 8.5 m × 3.2 m; shelter 28 m wide × 12 m deep; area 2.3 ha. Excavation excavated; condition submerged. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans available.
Why it mattersKey Palaeolithic to Iron Age rock-art with stratified sequence and landscape setting at 380 m elevation.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Relation to regional network
- 02Function and labor organization
Theories
- 01Elite residence hypothesis
- 02Territorial marker
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 15000 BCE
- Period
- Upper Palaeolithic to Iron Age (30000 BCE–500 CE)
- Culture
- Palaeolithic to Iron Age
- Purpose
- Rock art panel and ritual gallery
- Rediscovered
- 1920
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 15000 BCE
Initial construction / foundation
c. 1109 BCE
Major refurbishment / second phase
1940
Modern rediscovery and excavation
On the ground
Structures & features
44.3800° N · 4.4100° E · 380 m · 3 mapped features
- Main Painted PanelpanelMain Painted Panel at Chauvet–Pont d'Arc — Detached Panel Bear Gallery — panel with stratified deposits44.3815° N · 4.4117° E
- Upper Gallery NichegalleryUpper Gallery Niche at Chauvet–Pont d'Arc — Detached Panel Bear Gallery — gallery with stratified deposits44.3824° N · 4.4079° E
- Ancillary Engraving ClusterengravingAncillary Engraving Cluster at Chauvet–Pont d'Arc — Detached Panel Bear Gallery — engraving with stratified deposits44.3807° N · 4.4077° E
Gallery