Wowza. http://www.lascaux.culture.fr/?lng=en#/en/00.xml 

Very cool. Just mind boggling really...

I know, I'd read about them but had never seen the images in such glorious color.

Where were these caves Cathy?

In France, here's the Wik article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lascaux 

I believe that the new Auel book Land of the Painted caves uses these as a backdrop for her story. But I'm still early days yet.

I know, I'd read about them but had never seen the images in such glorious color.

^^This! I've always wanted to go there....wonder if one can tour them?

I think I read somewhere yesterday that they've been closed to the public for quite some time. All that human breathing was bringing mold and other bad things into the cave. Could be wrong though. I'd love to see them as well, they are very beautiful.

From Wikipedia.

Threats

The opening of the Lascaux cave after World War II changed the cave environment. The breathing of thousands of visitors, presence of lighting and changes in air circulation have created a number of problems. In the late 1950s appearance of lichens and crystals on the walls led to closure of the caves in 1963. This led to restriction of access to the real caves to a few vistors every week and the creation of a replica cave for visitors to Lascaux. In 2001, the authorities in charge of Lascaux changed the air conditioning system which resulted in regulation of the temperature and humidity. When the system had been established, an infestation of Fusarium solani, a white mold, began spreading rapidly across the cave ceiling and walls.^[17] The mold is considered to have been present in the cave soil and exposed by the working of tradesmen, leading to the spread of the fungus which was treated with quicklime. Since 2007, a new fungus, which has created grey and black blemishes, has begun spreading in the real cave.

The problem is ongoing and efforts are on to control the microbial and fungal growth in the cave. The fungal infection crises have led to the establishment of an International Scientific Committee for Lascaux and rethinking of how and how much human access should be permitted in caves containing prehistoric art.^[18]

It's amazing what damage we can do by *loving* things to death. I remember when touring the Hearst castle that a huge no-no was even touching the roman sarcophagi    (sp?) in the gardens. All that oil from human hands just damages them to no end. Some images of the caves from Wik

That was great; thanks for sharing!

The trouble they are having with molds is just terrible and I hope they can find a way to preserve these treasures. I do understand how eager people are to see it because I'd love to see it, too, but I'd also hate knowing that I was causing harm to it. Building the replica was a great idea.

It's amazing to see what great art they could create without modern paints and brushes! True artists!

They are wonderful aren't they? I hate to say it, but the websites are more interesting to read than it is in Auel's novel. She really isn't bringing it to life, or else I'm so jaded now with the repetition I don't care any more.

Beautiful paintings!