Caves of Gargas

The Caves of Gargas in southwestern France contain Upper Paleolithic cave art dating to approximately 27,000 years ago, making them among the oldest known artistic sites in Europe [1]. Located in the Pyrenees near the town of Aventignan in the Hautes-Pyrénées department, these caves have yielded evidence of continuous occupation from the Mousterian period through the Middle Ages, including stone tools, bones, and portable art objects [1]. The site features numerous hand stencils and animal figures carved into the limestone walls [1].