Chauvet–Pont d’Arc: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

Oct. 30, 2026

News •

UV scans uncover natural varnish that may have preserved ancient Chauvet Cave drawings • Oct. 28, 2026, 2:40 PM ET (Phys.org)

Photos

Chauvet–Pont d'Arc: drawings

Chauvet–Pont d'Arc, France

Chauvet–Pont d'Arc: bear footprints and wallows

Chauvet–Pont d'Arc: cave bear bones

Chauvet–Pont d'Arc: animal drawings

drawings at Chauvet–Pont d'Arc

Chauvet–Pont d'Arc: horse

See All Images →

Topics

Rock art Cave art Aurignacian culture cave bear stalactite and stalagmite Lascaux Font-de-Gaume Trois Frères Niaux Les Combarelles Eyzies-de-Tayac caves Gargas Auschwitz Pompeii Delphi

France

country, Europe

Ancient Egyptian carving of Pharaoh Seti I holding his flail before the god of the underworld Osiris with Horus behind him. Abydos Temple, Egypt. Ancient carving, on public display for 2,000 years

Archaeology: Great Discoveries Quiz