Les blasons de Lascaux

Between 1952 and 1963, the Abbé Glory conducted excavation in the Lascaux Cave. He discovered many artefacts useful for the Prehistoric painter. Today this material is kept in the “Institut de Paléontologie Humaine” in Paris. Some of this material, as well as the painting matter of the “Blazons” of the Black Cow Panel of the Nef, were examined and analysed by electron microscopy: SEM and TEM. Yellow, ocher and red pigments are iron oxides and black pigments are manganese oxides. The results indicate that the pigments were by no means heated, nor associated with any extender. Nevertheless the variety of the raw matter indicates a real strategy to exploit nature in order to match the desired hue and the texture of the painted panel.     

Le Magdalénien de la grotte « Grappin » à Arlay (Jura, France) : nouveaux regards

The “Grappin” or “Saint-Vincent's” cave, on the western slope of Jura, East of France, has been explored since 1889. From then to 1960, it has yielded substantial material dated to middle “à navettes” Magdalenian developing during the late Pleniglacial. The study of this settlement, although often mentioned, was never dealt with comprehensively until now. Due to its scientific importance for the middle Magdalenian of western Europe, the site is to be reinvestigated through a global interdisciplinary project entitled “The Tardiglacial and the start of Holocene in the Jura and its margins”. This paper will review our present knowledge of the site, radiocarbon dates and archaeological data. It also focuses on ornaments and engraved mobile art.