La grotte du GRAND ROC - Les abris de LAUGERIE BASSE

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CRO-MAGNON

The life of Magdalenians in Laugerie Basse

Caption: this human skeleton found in Laugerie Basse layed with both knees and elbows tucked up, almost touching each other; several drilled shells were discovered in the sepulchre, notably some types of cypraeidae (cowries from the Mediterranean).

Drawing published by E. Carta in 1889 in "France Préhistorique"

Magdalenians were Homosapiens or Cro-Magnon men offering minor differences with today's men. Some of them have been carefully buried, as for example in Laugerie Basse.

The last major drop in temperatures in the climatic history of the Earth, also called last "ice era", took place during the Superior Paleolithic period, and during the coldest periods the temperature could -on a yearly average- be 4 to 5°c colder than today. Such a difference has a marked influence on both the flora and the fauna.

The Vézère valley used to host animal species that are typical of cold climates and that have now disappeared, such as the mammoth or the hairy rhino, and also species that still live today under the polar circle, such as the musk ox, the polar fox or the reindeer. Reindeers were the most hunted of all during Magdalenian times in Périgord. Excavation campaigns in Laugerie Basse have revealed that 90% of all bones discovered were reindeer bones.

Dead animals were fully utilized: flesh and fat were consumed, the skin was used for clothing or building huts, bones and antlers were turned into needles, harpoons, assegais or works of art.

The Magdalenians were not only great hunters, but also fishermen fishing trouts, salmons, pikes, and creating for all these activities quite sophisticated weapons such as assegais, propellers, etc.

Our guide will help you discover Magdalenian hunting techniques and maybe you'll want to have a try!