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
About
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.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Construction technique
- 02Chronology and phasing
Theories
- 01Territorial marker
- 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
c. 15000 BCE
Initial construction / foundation
c. 1138 BCE
Major refurbishment / second phase
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 PanelpanelMain Painted Panel at Grottes de Gargas — Upper Talc Panel (Hautes-Pyrénées) — panel with stratified deposits43.0583° N · 0.5284° E
- Upper Gallery NichegalleryUpper Gallery Niche at Grottes de Gargas — Upper Talc Panel (Hautes-Pyrénées) — gallery with stratified deposits43.0610° N · 0.5306° E
- Ancillary Engraving ClusterengravingAncillary Engraving Cluster at Grottes de Gargas — Upper Talc Panel (Hautes-Pyrénées) — engraving with stratified deposits43.0620° N · 0.5311° E
- Rock Fall BoulderboulderRock Fall Boulder at Grottes de Gargas — Upper Talc Panel (Hautes-Pyrénées) — boulder with stratified deposits43.0577° N · 0.5293° E
Gallery