Cave of Lascaux

Deep under the green hills in a country called France, I have been sleeping for a very long time. Inside, I am cool and dark and very quiet. I kept a beautiful secret safe on my walls for many, many years. The secret was a collection of amazing pictures. I am the Cave of Lascaux, and I am like a picture book made of stone.

My first friends came to visit me a long, long, long time ago. It was so dark inside me, but they brought little lights that flickered and danced on my walls. They were wonderful artists. They used my stone walls as their paper. With special paint made from colorful dirt and rocks, they painted pictures of their animal friends. They painted strong horses, gentle deer, and big, powerful bulls. I loved having their beautiful art all over me. It made me feel very special.

After my first friends left, I was hidden for many years. I slept under the ground and nobody knew I was there. But one exciting day, on September 12th, 1940, four boys were playing outside with their little dog, Robot. Robot was sniffing the ground when he found a small hole. The boys were curious and peeked inside. They wiggled their way into the darkness with a lamp and found my secret. When the light shined on my walls, they gasped. They saw all of the amazing animal pictures. What a surprise.

So many people wanted to see my pictures after the boys found me. But all the new air made my paintings start to fade, like a drawing left out in the sun. To keep them safe, I was closed to visitors in 1963. But don't be sad. Kind people made a perfect copy of me right next door. Now, everyone can visit the new cave and see the wonderful pictures. My paintings help us remember the artists from long ago and show how people have always loved to share stories through art.