LES COMBARELLES

cave famous for its prehistoric engraved designs, located near Les Eyzies in Dordogne, Fr. Thousands of superimposed engravings dating from the late Aurignacian through the middle Magdalenian periods suggest that the cave long served as the centre of a hunting cult. Bison and reindeer are the main subjects, but grotesque humans with parts of other animals are also portrayed, perhaps intended as decoys or hunting magicians. Some of the engraved animals are lively, others stiff. Most scholars rank Les Combarelles as one of the finest products of the Ice Age.