Lascaux Caves in France
Lascaux is famous for its Palaeolithic cave paintings, found in a complex of caves in the Dordogne region of southwestern France, because of their exceptional quality, size, sophistication and antiquity. Estimated to be up to 20,000 years old, the paintings consist primarily of large animals, once native to the region. Lascaux is located in the Vézère Valley where many other decorated caves have been found since the beginning of the 20th century (for example Les Combarelles and Font-de-Gaume in 1901, Bernifal in 1902). Lascaux is a complex cave with several areas (Hall of the Bulls, Passage gallery) It was discovered on 12 September 1940 and given statutory historic monument protection in december of the same year. In 1979, several decorated caves of the Vézère Valley - including the Lascaux cave - were added to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list. But these hauntingly beautiful prehistoric cave paintings are in peril.
Source: http://www.bradshawfoundation.com/lascaux/
Source Photo: 
Steepshot |
Aren't these caves sealed off from the public and a whole new re-created museum like display made to protect the original caves? Or am I wrong?
Yes, a complete replica has been created for people to tour. Please google - (lascaux caves opening times) & you will find ......
For the first time, all of Lascaux is revealed. A complete new replica retraces the discovery of the famous decorated cave. But that's not the end of the adventure: the entire site inquires into the position that Lascaux occupies in cave art and its relation to contemporary creation. The opening of the International Centre for Cave
The guy in the picture has a cropped off head! Why?
Looks like he was badly cropped out of an image & pasted into this one, it whacks off the scale really badly as well.