Three-dimensional simulation of a fire in a simplified gallery of the Chauvet-Pont-d’Arc cave (Ardèche, France)

A three-dimensional simulation of fire behavior within the Decorated Cave of Pont d'Arc (Grotte Chauvet-Pont d'Arc) reveals critical insights into how ancient fires may have influenced cave art and preservation. The study, conducted in a simplified gallery, demonstrates that controlled fires could have created thermal conditions conducive to both artistic expression—such as those seen in the cave's renowned paintings—and the carbonization of organic materials, potentially explaining the exceptional preservation of 35,000-year-old artifacts. Researchers used computational modeling to simulate fire dynamics, including heat distribution and smoke movement, providing a novel approach to understanding the interplay between human activity and environmental factors in prehistoric contexts.

Lacanette, D., Mindeguia, J.-C., Ferrier, C., Debard, E., & Kervazo, B. (2016). Three-dimensional simulation of a fire in a simplified gallery of the Chauvet-Pont-d’Arc cave (Ardèche, France). The Three Dimensions of Archaeology, 49–60. https://doi.org/10.2307/jj.15135959.10