Mysteria
Grottes de Gargas — Upper Talc Panel (Hautes-Pyrénées)
Widely accepted43.0600° N · 0.5300° E · 550 m

Grottes de Gargas — Upper Talc Panel (Hautes-Pyrénées)

Gargas Talc

Upper Palaeolithic to Iron Age (30000 BCE–500 CE)·Palaeolithic to Iron Age·🇫🇷 Occitanie, Hautes-Pyrénées, Aventignan, France

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About Grottes de Gargas — Upper Talc Panel (Hautes-Pyrénées)

Grottes de Gargas — Upper Talc Panel (Hautes-Pyrénées) in Occitanie, Hautes-Pyrénées, Aventignan, France is a Upper Palaeolithic to Iron Age (30000 BCE–500 CE) rock art attributed to Palaeolithic to Iron Age. Systematic survey and photogrammetry document stratified deposits. The site includes a principal platform and ancillary necropolis. Dimensions panel 8.5 m × 3.2 m; shelter 28 m wide × 12 m deep; area 1.4 ha. Excavation excavated; condition partially preserved. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans available.

Why it mattersKey Palaeolithic to Iron Age rock-art with stratified sequence and landscape setting at 550 m elevation.

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Mysteries & theories

Mysteries

  1. 01Construction technique
  2. 02Chronology and phasing

Theories

  1. 01Territorial marker
  2. 02Ritual landscape model

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
Excavation
Excavated

  1. c. 15000 BCE

    Initial construction / foundation

  2. c. 1138 BCE

    Major refurbishment / second phase

  3. 1923

    Antiquarian record, modern excavation from 1960s

On the ground

Structures & features

43.0600° N · 0.5300° E · 550 m · 4 mapped features

  • Main Painted Panel

    panel

    Main Painted Panel at Grottes de Gargas — Upper Talc Panel (Hautes-Pyrénées) — panel with stratified deposits

    43.0583° N · 0.5284° E

  • Upper Gallery Niche

    gallery

    Upper Gallery Niche at Grottes de Gargas — Upper Talc Panel (Hautes-Pyrénées) — gallery with stratified deposits

    43.0610° N · 0.5306° E

  • Ancillary Engraving Cluster

    engraving

    Ancillary Engraving Cluster at Grottes de Gargas — Upper Talc Panel (Hautes-Pyrénées) — engraving with stratified deposits

    43.0620° N · 0.5311° E

  • Rock Fall Boulder

    boulder

    Rock Fall Boulder at Grottes de Gargas — Upper Talc Panel (Hautes-Pyrénées) — boulder with stratified deposits

    43.0577° N · 0.5293° E

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