The mystery surrounding a cave in the Eure has just been solved by a group of historians commissioned by the State services. His conclusion: the traces and inscriptions in the rock do not date from the Paleolithic. Explanations.
Does the cave located in the Seine valley, in the Eure department, really have Paleolithic origins? On this question, opinions differ, but the expertise has just decided. A group of historians explains that no, the cave that has caused so much ink to flow “Cannot be considered as an ornate Paleolithic cave”, comments the prefecture of the Normandy Region in a press release published Thursday, July 15, 2021. And scientists are categorical.
September 11, 2019, Jean-Claude Staigre, speleologist « amateur », according to the prefecture, made the discovery of a cave in which he believed to distinguish features on the rock, as revealed by our colleagues from Point. After consultation with Jean-Pierre Watté, former honorary archaeologist at the Le Havre Natural History Museum, the two specialists think they will see the face of a man here, vertical and wavy features there, or even a slender woman without a head. For these specialists in prehistory in Normandy, there is no doubt: this is a new archaeological vestige.
Scratches due to animal friction
However, following this discovery, which could turn out to be historical, the State services are seeking to verify whether the information transmitted in an article from May 2021, in the bulletin of the Center for Archaeological Research of Haute-Normandie are true. And that’s where it gets stuck… The Ministry of Culture and the Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs (Drac) of Normandy then call on three historians: Catherine Ferrier, geo-archaeologist; Jacques Jaubert, prehistorian and Patrick Paillet, specialist in prehistoric art. After analysis, their report falls and it is indisputable: “Following the appraisal mission on the site, all the specialists are of the opinion that the cave cannot be considered as an ornate Paleolithic cave”, announces the prefecture of Normandy.
The research focused on several points. The first was to identify the traces present on the rock. In view of the “Chalk fragility” and of “The opening of the cavity frequented for a very long time”, experts come to the conclusion that these characteristics “Allow the passage of animals and humans who have left traces there”. And to specify that animals (of our time) are the cause of friction and scratches. The species mentioned are carnivores, such as foxes or bats. As for humans (also of our time), they left graffiti such as initials or dates.
“No gesture of taking into account the volumes of the wall and its irregularities is discernible”
Regarding the various visuals of women or animals, the prefecture points out that“No gesture of taking into account the volumes of the wall and its irregularities is discernible, whereas this is a systematic phenomenon for Paleolithic parietal works”. Finally, historians admit that the geographical positioning of the site, the location of which has not been revealed, is “Far from representing the norm” from the Paleolithic.
So many elements that allow to establish that the cave has nothing historical. A false joy for the entire scientific community …
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