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Peering through the gate, one can see the rear wall of the abri, with holes dug in the limestone for beams for a house, possibly in mediaeval times.
The site is only open to the public by appointment, often only once a week, by purchasing tickets from the Font de Gaume ticket office. I was lucky enough to get on a tour, but sadly no photographs were allowed inside the gate.
I find this policy difficult to understand. There is no rhyme or reason to the photograph / no photograph rule. In the case of Laugerie Basse, photographs are certainly allowed. Why yes at one site and no at a similar site next door, is beyond my comprehension. There was a very old sign from the 1940s on the wall forbidding photographs.
Here is a good photo of the inside, shot through the bars on the gate. My thanks to Marieke.
We can see clearly here the back of the shelter, the sloping driveway to a house on the right, and the viewing area of the other wall, in the right foreground. The other wall, a treasure trove of flint and other material, faces the back of the shelter shown here.
Photo: Marieke 2009
The sign reads:
Abri Préhistorique de Laugerie Haute
Ce site fondamental, l'un des abris les plus vastes de la région, fouillé entre autres par Lartet, Hauser, Peyrony et Bordes a accueilli des millénaires d'occupation humaine du Périgordien final au Magdalénien moyen (24 000 - 14 000 BP) à laquelle la chute de plusieurs énormes blocs d'effondrement formant la limite naturelle actuelle, a mis fin.
Les niveaux archéologiques révèlent un outillage lithique très abondant, une industrie osseuse de belle qualité ainsi que des objets d'art mobilier ou sur blocs gravés principalement dans la couche supérieure.
This fundamental site, one of the largest rock shelters in the area, was excavated by, among others, Lartet, Hauser, Peyrony and Bordes. It bears witness to thousands of years of human occupation spanning from the late Perigordian to the Middle Magdalenian (24 000 - 14 000 BP). Occupation of the site was ended by the collapse of the shelter roof, with several enormous blocks now sealing the archeological levels beneath and creating their present day limits.
These archeological levels reveal an abundance of stone tools, a bone and antler industry of impressive quality, as well as artefacts and engraved blocks most of which were found in the uppermost level.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2008
The little Renault TwinGo I hired in front of the (hidden) entrance to Laugerie Haute Ouest. The information sign for Laugerie Haute is visible.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2008
The junction between the two fallen rocks, and showing the scar on the cliff above at Laugerie Haute Ouest.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2008
This is Laugerie Haute Est, starting at Laugerie Haute Ouest, from the block on which the house in the middle of Laugerie Haute sits, to where the next house is situated at the end, heading to the east. It is not open to the public, but the fences and small concrete bridges and remaining access paths show that it was at one time a scene of great activity during the excavations there.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2008
Plan of the site
1 - entrée du site Laugerie-Haute Ouest
2 - couche proto-chalcolithique
3 - la stratigraphie accessible (en noir)
Le "Château" Chapoulie (en rouge)
L'abri du squelette (en jaune)
1 - entry to Laugerie Haute Ouest
2 - proto-chalcolithic (early copper age) bed
3 - the accessible stratigraphy (in black)
The "Château" Chapoulie is shown in red
The abri of the skeleton is shown in yellow
Photo: http://www.hominides.com/html/lieux/laugerie_haute_abri.htm
Stratigraphie de Laugerie-Haute Est, selon D. & E. Peyrony.
F (image)
H'. Niveau solutréen des pointes à face plane. (image)
H''. Niveau solutréen des grandes feuilles de laurier.
H'''. Niveau solutréen des pointes à cran.
I'. Niveau magdalénien à éclats de silex à retouches abruptes. (image)
I''. Niveau magdalénien des triangles scalènes. (image)
I'''. Niveau magdalénien des pointes de sagaie à incisions, à cannelures, à pans coupés. (image)
Stratigraphy of Laugerie-Haute Est, according to D. & E. Peyrony.
F (image)
H'. Solutrean level of points with a flat face. (image)
H''. Solutrean level of large laurel leaf points.
H'''. Solutrean level of notched blades.
I'. Magdalenian level of abruptly retouched flint flakes. (image)
I''. Magdalenian level of scalene triangles. (image)
I'''. Magdalenian level spear points with incisions, fluted, and with cut sides. (image)
Photo and text:
Peyrony (1938), in Groenen (1994)
Stratigraphie de Laugerie-Haute Ouest, selon D. & E. Peyrony.
B. Périgordien III. (image) (Note that this image is of tools from level B', the lowest B layer using Peyrony's normal naming conventions, not distinguished as such on the diagram above - Don)
C. Couche stérile.
D. Aurignacien V. (image) (Note in particular the clear quartz tool between the numbers 6 and 7 at the top of the display - Don)
E. Terre grise et éléments calcaires, couche à peu près stérile.
G. Proto-solutréen.
H'. Solutréen à pointes à face plane.
H''. Solutréen à feuilles de laurier. (image)
H'''. Solutréen à pointes à cran. (image)
I. Magdalénien sans harpon.
Laugerie-Haute West stratigraphy, according to D. & E. Peyrony.
B. Perigordian III. (image) (Note that this image is of tools from level B', the lowest B layer using Peyrony's normal naming conventions, not distinguished as such on the diagram above - Don)
C. Sterile layer.
D. Aurignacian V. (image) (Note in particular the clear quartz tool between the numbers 6 and 7 at the top of the display - Don)
E. Grey earth and limestone rocks, more or less sterile.
G. Proto-Solutrean.
H'. Solutrean with points with a flat face.
H''. Solutrean laurel-leaf industry. (image)
H'''. Solutrean notched blades. (image)
I. Magdalenian, but without (the normally characteristic - Don) harpoons.
Photo and text:
Peyrony (1938), in Groenen (1994)
This is only a small section of the staggering array of stone tools from Laugerie Haute which were on display at Le Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2008
Source: Originals on display at Le Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
Engraved bone, Laugerie Haute East.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2008
Source: Original on display at Le Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
Laugerie Haute East, Perigordian engraving (vulva?).
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2008
Source: Original, display at Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies
Laugerie Haute West, Perigordian engraving of a vulva.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2008
Source: Original, display at Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies
Solutrean Laurel Leaf Point
This small laurel-leaf point was found on the Laugerie Haute site. These small bifaces are believed to have been used as projectile points that once tipped the ends of spears or darts. They were probably thrown with the use of a spear thrower. This point is made of a semi-translucent honey colored chert and measures 6.5 cm long, 2.7 cm wide and .7 cm thick.
Photo: © Peter A. Bostrom, American Museum of Natural History Collection
Source, photo and text: http://www.lithiccastinglab.com/gallery-pages/2008januarysolutreanpage1.htm
Le foyer de Laugerie-Haute Ouest
(Les Eyzies-de-Tayac, Dordogne)
Original
Solutréen (vers 20 000 B.P.)
This is one of the original foyers, or fireplaces, at Laugerie Haute West. How wonderful that it was preserved in its entirety.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2008
Source: Original on display at Le Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
11 - Laugerie Haute Est - Bâton percé - Magdalénien
13 - Laugerie Haute Est - Bâton percé - Gravettien
14 - Laugerie Haute Est - Bâton percé - Magdalénien ancien
Decorated spear straighteners or spear throwers (both interpretations are possible) from Laugerie Haute Est.
Note that number 13 in the right hand photograph shows two mammoths with heads pressed together, presumably in ritual combat over mating rights.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2008
Source: Original on display at Le Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
From Wikipedia:
To use the bâton percé as a spear thrower, a length of cord is attached to the spear, near the middle of the spear. Leather would be suitable for lighter spears, while sinew would be required for heavier spears. The addition of the cord turns the spear in to a large Swiss arrow. Using the spear thus equipped as a Swiss arrow resulted in a 43% increase in range, compared to a hand thrown spear.
The bâton percé is used by feeding the cord through the hole, and laying the cord along the length of the shaft. The bâton percé is held in the hand, with the solid end held in the hand near the pinkie, and the pierced end emerging from the other end of the fist. The loose end of the cord is grasped between thumb and forefinger, and the spear is laid along the bâton percé. The spear may be twisted up to one and a half turns, which serves to stabilize the spear during the throw. The bâton percé is held over the shoulder, and thrown overhand. The length of the bâton percé serves to increase the thrower's leverage, providing more speed, and the cord acts as it does in a Swiss arrow, extending the leverage further. Use of the bâton percé in this way results in a 127% increase in range over the same hand-thrown spear.
Laugerie Haute Ouest entrance. The man was there to open the cave for some journalists. The two large white rocks were once the roof of the shelter.
The Ninth Cave of the Zelandonii (from the books by Jean Auel concerning Ice Age times) is based on Laugerie Haute in the valley of the Vezere, in the Perigord district of France. The nearby Laugerie Basse still looks like a rock shelter, but Laugerie Haute is long collapsed, and has been almost completely excavated, except for what lies under a house on the middle of the site.
Photo: Utika, 30th April 2002
Photo de la stratigraphie de Laugerie haute
La séquence représente 15 000 ans d'occupation humaine fossilisée sur
plusieurs mètres d'épaisseur.
La plus haute couche d'identifiée ici est du magdalénien.
La roche que l'on observe au dessus est donc tombée après.
Cette roche est celle qui se trouve à droite en entrant sur le site.
Elle sépare le site de la route qui passe devant.
Nous n'avons pas d'assurance que les autres roches qui occupent la terrasse
actuellement soient tombées à la même époque. Ce qui est cependant,
possible.
La configuration de la terrasse devait être bien plus spectaculaire.
Cette photo provient de « La province préhistorique des Eyzies » Caisse
nationale des monuments et des sites. CNRS éditions
Photo of the stratigraphy of Laugerie haute
The sequence represents 15 000 years of human occupation preserved in a band several meters thick. The top layer identified here is a Magdalenian one. The rock that may be seen above these sediments has fallen after this date. This rock is the one that is located to the right while entering the site. It separates the site from the road that passes in front of it.
We have no assurance that the other rocks that now occupy the terrace fell in the same era. This is nevertheless possible.
This photo comes from "La province préhistorique des Eyzies" Caisse
nationale des monuments et des sites. CNRS éditions
My thanks to Peire and Anya for access to this resource.
Mammouths affrontés. Protomagdalénien de Laugerie-Haute. Fouilles
Peyrony. Musée national de Préhistoire. Les Eyzies.
Facing mammoths. Protomagdalenian Laugerie Haute. Peyrony Excavations. Musée national de Préhistoire. Les Eyzies.
This appears to me to illustrate mammoths engaged in ritual combat, perhaps during competition for mates.
Denis Peyrony was a teacher from Les Eyzies who carried out a number of excavations in the area in the early 1900s.
Photo and French text: "les mammouths - Dossiers
Archéologie - n° 291 - Mars 2004"
My thanks to Anya for access to this resource.
Laugerie-Haute. Abri du Squelette. A l'extrémité occidentale de l'abri
classique, au moins trois squelettes humains ont été découverts sous une
grande dalle rocheuse. Ces restes sont d'époque néolithique. Seul l'un des
squelettes a été conservé sur place. Fouilles J. Maury, S. Blanc et M.
Bourgon.
Laugerie Haute. Shelter of the Skeleton. At the Western end of the traditional shelter, at least three human skeletons were discovered under a large rock flagstone. These remains are from the Neolithic age. Only one of the skeletons was preserved in place. Excavations J Maury, S. Blanc and M. Bourgon.
Photo and French text: Visiter les Abris de Laugerie-Basse - Alain Roussot - Editions Sud-Ouest.
My thanks to Anya for access to this resource.
Go to a map showing Laugerie Haute Laugerie Haute is 180 meters long, 35 meters wide and nearly 5 metres deep. It is situated on the right bank of the Vezere, about 2 km from Les Eyzies. The site has yielded 42 levels of sediment, making it the "yardstick" for French Upper Paleolithic industry. The lowest levels date to the Perigordian (ca. 33,000-20,000 BCE), and occupation seems to have terminated around 14,000 BCE, during the Magdelenian period, at which time the nearby site of Laugerie-Basse becomes prominent. (this text from http://www.beloit.edu/~museum/logan/paleoexhibit/laugerie.htm )
Most of the stratigraphic data and related text here comes from an excellent book, 'Rock Shelters of the Perigord' by Henri Laville, Jean-Philippe Rigaud, and James Sackett.
Laugerie Haute Ouest (West) Cross Section
Photo: H. Laville et al, 'Rock Shelters of the Perigord'
Laugerie Haute Est (East) Cross Section
Photo: H. Laville et al, 'Rock Shelters of the Perigord'
Laugerie Haute recreation
This evocative painting by Jack Unruh (unattributed, but signed by him) shows Laugerie-Haute before it collapsed.
It was a rock shelter used by Palaeolithic salmon fishers. Several groups probably came together for massive fishing harvests 18 000 years ago.
Note the stone weirs in the painting guiding the salmon to a pool for spearing, the people carrying strings of freshly caught salmon across the shallow pool, the scalers, cleaners and filleters seated beside the pool, the people carrying prepared fillets up the bank, and the racks of drying fish.
On the larger image you can also see that the racks are held up by tripods, each one of which is stabilised by a cord or stick attached to a pile of rocks below each tripod, since there was no soil to dig the tripods into on the rock shelf swept clean by spring floods. Children are playing a chasing game, and someone else is bringing in firewood for the fires under the rock shelter, where there are two types of shelter. In one case there are some sticks stuck in the ground forming a wind shelter, with one side open to the river, and in another case there is a lean to against the rock overhang covered in hides.
Sun drying of the fish would assure a plentiful winter food supply, and thousands of bones have been found in excavations in the area.
Photo: the painting is by Jack Unruh, in National Geographic, Vol 174, No 4, October 1988.
