Rock paintings
Positioned 2,133 meters up the Southern French Alps, the Abri Faravel is a small rock shelter discovered during an extensive project investigating human activity and landscape change in the high altitude zone. What makes this rock shelter so fascinating is not only has it revealed nine phases of occupation from the Mesolithic through the Medieval time periods, but that it bears the highest altitude pre or pronto-historic paintings. On the “ceiling” of the shelter, a composition of parallel lines and what is believed to be animal figures covers a c.3m² surface. After using modern technologies to scan the images, archaeologists believe the paintings depict either a deer or a dog with a projectile in their back, further suggesting the inhabitant’s relationship with hunting during the time. These early works of art have survived two millennials, maybe even four, thanks to the natural overhang of the rock protecting the paintings from the elements. For more about the discovery, please use the link below.