Getty Conservation Institute

Rock Art Network - Replication as Conservation: Chauvet, Lascaux, Altamira

Colloquium - France/Spain October 2019

This has been the third colloquium of the Rock Art Network, organised by Neville Agnew of the Getty Conservation Institute in Los Angeles, consisting of rock art researchers from around the world. Throughout the colloquium, the Rock Art Network held presentations and discussion groups, interspersed with visits to caves and cave replicas.

The Rock Art Network in the Altamira replica. Photo: Noel Hidalgo Tan

The Rock Art Network group met at Vagnas in the Ardèche, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of Southeastern France. From here we were able to visit Chauvet 2, the replica of the Chauvet Cave. We were hosted by Jean-Michel Geneste, the former curator of the Lascaux Cave as well as the director of its scientific research program, and director of the multidisciplinary research program of Chauvet 2.

Outside Chauvet 2. Photo: Noel Hidalgo Tan

Looking up to the site of the Cave of Chauvet. Photo: Noel Hidalgo Tan

Moving from the Ardèche we travelled to Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil in the Dordogne. From here the Rock Art Network group visited the decorated caves of Font de Gaume, Les Combarelles, Rouffignac, Cougnac and Pech Merle.

Following this, the group visited Lascaux IV, the replica of Lascaux Cave, again hosted by Jean-Michel Geneste.

Lascaux IV. Photo: Noel Hidalgo Tan

Onwards into Cantabria in northern Spain, following a visit to the replica of Ekain, the Rock Art Network group visited the Altamira Museum & Replica - Museo Nacional y Centro de Investigación de Altamira - located beside the Cave of Altamira, hosted by the Director Pilar Fatás.

The Altamira Museum & Centre of Research. Photo: Noel Hidalgo Tan

The Polychrome ceiling in the Altamira replica. Photo: Noel Hidalgo Tan

Inside the Altamira replica. Photo: Noel Hidalgo Tan

Our final cave visits included El Castillo and Las Monedas.

click here to read more about the Rock Art Network

click here to read more about the Cave of Altamira

click here to read more about the Cave of Chauvet

click here to read more about the Cave of Lascaux