Brunel Room – North, Chauvet Cave
Vallon-Pont-d'Arc, FR

circa 30,000 B.C.

Situated within the limestone plateau of the Ardèche River in southern France, this cave houses the earliest-known and remarkably well-preserved figurative drawings in the world. Dating back to the Aurignacian period (30,000–32,000 B.C.), it stands as an extraordinary testament to prehistoric art. The cave was naturally sealed off by a rockfall approximately 20,000 years ago and remained untouched until its discovery in 1994, thus maintaining its pristine condition. The walls of the cave boast over 1,000 images, featuring a diverse array of anthropomorphic and animal motifs. Notably, these drawings exhibit exceptional aesthetic quality, showcasing various techniques such as skilled shading, the juxtaposition of paint and engraving, precise anatomical details, as well as the depiction of three-dimensionality and movement.