In 1991, per Henri Cosquer
found paintings and engravings of animals, painted handprints and
finger tracings in a cave between Marseille and Cassis, whose sole
entrance has been underwater since the end of the last ice age. Carbon
dating has shown that the oldest work of art here was created around
27,000 years ago. Over a hundred animals have been identified,
including seals, auks, horses, ibex, bison, chamois, red deer and a
giant deer only known from fossils. Fish are also featured, along with
sea creatures that might be jellyfish. Most of the finger tracings are
done in charcoal and have fingertips missing, possibly a sign language.
Since the entrance is 37m below sea level, it's unlikely that the cave
will ever be made accessible to the public.
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