Pair-non-Pair Cave

The Pair-non-Pair Cave is located near the village of Prignac-et-Marcamps [1]. Only discovered in 1881 it is known for remarkable prehistoric parietal engravings - petroglyphic representations of wild animals, "which rank among the most ancient examples of art made by prehistoric" humans, dating back to between 30,000 and 25,000 BP [1]. The third decorated cave ever to be discovered after Altamira in Spain and the Chabot cave in Ardèche it was the first cave ever to be classified and listed as a historical monument in France on December, 20th 1901 [1]. Excavations under the leadership of archaeologist François Daleau began immediately in March 1881 lasting until 1913 [1]. Apart from the petroglyphs, wall paintings, 15000 stone tool fragments and around 6000 animal bones of 60 species were unearthed and recorded [1]. Human occupation took place over a period spanning 60,000 years from the Mousterian, the Chatelperronian, the Aurignacian and into the Gravettian cultures [1]. Most animals carved on the walls of the cave are represented in pairs [1].