Lascaux A Gallery of Prehistoric Art Essay Example

Essays on Lascaux: A Gallery of Prehistoric Art Essay The paper "Lascaux: A Gallery of Prehistoric Art" is a good example of an essay on performing art. The Lascaux cave located near Montignac in Dordogne, France is regarded as one of the most spectacular example of Paleolithic art sites yet discovered. It contains one of the world’s most magnificent collections of prehistoric art such as paintings and drawings of animals, geometric symbols and human figures. Primitive images of horses, felines, bears and even abstract signs in red, black, brown and yellow pigments appear on the walls and ceilings of the central cavern. And for several decades, scientific experts and historians believed that these spectacular paintings and rock engravings were created more than 17,000 years ago. Furthermore, researchers theorized that the paintings could be a mystical representation of hunting endeavors and rituals, while others believe that the images of animals painted in several chambers and galleries within the cave were once considered sacre d by the people who created them. But â€Å"the most commonly accepted theory is that Lascaux and other aft-filled caves in the region were sanctuaries where Stone Age people worshipped† (Moore 1).   Like many historic sites, people took steps to address the preservation of the Lascaux cave. French authorities closed the site to thousands of visitors as they produced a considerable level of carbon dioxide that eventually affects the entire cave. They even created a replica of two of Lascaux’s cave halls – The Great Hall of The Bulls and the Painted Gallery, collectively known as Lascaux II just to preserve every element of the authentic cave. Now, Lascaux is continuously monitored on a daily basis to preserve one of the most sacred arts known to mankind.