World Heritage Identification Number: 85
World Heritage since: 1979
Category: Cultural Heritage
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇫🇷 France
Continent: Europe
UNESCO World Region: Europe and North America
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Exploring the Prehistoric Sites and Decorated Caves of the Vézère Valley
The Prehistoric Sites and Decorated Caves of the Vézère Valley, located in the Dordogne department of France, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that offers a unique glimpse into the past. This region, often referred to as the "Capital of Prehistory," boasts over 150 known prehistoric sites, making it one of the richest areas in Europe for studying the Paleolithic era and its art.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
The Vézère valley contains 147 prehistoric sites dating from the Palaeolithic and 25 decorated caves. It is particularly interesting from an ethnological and anthropological, as well as an aesthetic point of view because of its cave paintings, especially those of the Lascaux Cave, whose discovery in 1940 was of great importance for the history of prehistoric art. The hunting scenes show some 100 animal figures, which are remarkable for their detail, rich colours and lifelike quality.
Encyclopedia Record: Prehistoric Sites and Decorated Caves of the Vézère Valley
The Prehistoric Sites and Decorated Caves of the Vézère Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in France since 1979. It specifically lists 15 prehistoric sites in the Vézère valley in the Dordogne department, mostly in and around Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil, which has been called the "Capital of Prehistory". This valley is exceptionally rich in prehistoric sites, with more than 150 known sites including 25 decorated caves, and has played an essential role in the study of the Paleolithic era and its art. Three of the sites are the namesakes for prehistoric periods; the Micoquien, Mousterian, and Magdalenian. Furthermore, the Cro-Magnon rock shelter gave its name to the Cro-Magnon, the generic name for the European early modern humans. Many of the sites were discovered or first recognised as significant and scientifically explored by the archaeologists Henri Breuil and Denis Peyrony in the early twentieth century, while Lascaux, which has the most exceptional rock art of these, was discovered in 1940.Additional Site Details
Area: 105.733 hectares
(iii) — Unique or exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition
Coordinates: 45.0575 , 1.17
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