Chauvet Cave Mural

Reasons Why

1. The building has a more natural look when the lines are not parallel because it creates depth from the balcony.

2. The boat is the foreground is larger than the other boat because it is the focal point and is closer to us than the other boat.

3. The 17th century painting has Roman pillars because the Romans had a lot of influence during the biblical times.

The Cave of Forgotten Dreams

The Cave of Forgotten Dreams Film Guide

1.     When and where was the cave discovered?

The Chauvet Cave was discovered on December 18, 1994 in southern France.

2.     Why was a door installed into the opening of the cave?

The door was installed so that the climate inside the cave wouldn’t be compromised.

3.     Where were the red spots discovered and how were they made?

The red spots were discovered in the main chamber by the palm of someone’s hand.

4.     What was the first proof that the drawings were not forgeries?

Concretions over the drawings would have required thousands of years to grow.

5.     Why did the scientist believe that the artist created the bison with eight legs? What other possible reason do you think that this might have been done?

The scientist believed that the additional legs were to show movement in the bison. Another reason could be that this one bison in particular that these people saw had a genetic defect and had eight legs and they found it so special that they recorded it.

6.     What possible landmark was near the cave?

The Pont d’Arc natural bridge.

7.     Why did the filmmakers think that there might have been dancing in the cave?

There was evidence of fires being built inside the cave. They weren’t for cooking but rather illumination where these people could watch their shadows dance along the walls.

8.     What does the presence of bones indicate?

The bones indicated that no humans lived in the cave and that it was only used for ceremony. The bones were all from animals that were possibly traveling through.

9.     How did they know that one person created the red dots in different parts of the cave?

The man who did the red dots was around six feet in height and had a slightly crooked little finger.

10. What animal is combined with a woman?

        A bison.

11. What was most significant about this cave to you?

I think what stands out most is how old and preserved these works of art are.  These are some of the oldest works of art we have of the times. This also shows us the unique art style that people used to show what they saw through their own eyes.