My father died the year the Cosquer Cave was revealed to the public, in 1991. The region which fascinated him is unique, and the world only underwater painted cave made it even more so, but he did not know.
More than 30000 years ago , during a glaciation, the sea level was very low , and Riou was not an island. One could walk from Riou , past the Conclu all the way to the Massif de Puget. During the following global warming, the ice melted and the sea level went up 360 feet and created the islands and the coves called Les Calanques, but it also sealed the entrance of a cave located now about 110 feet under the surface. The miracle is that the cave itself is located almost above today's sea level. And that someone found it!
In the 80s, a diver from Cassis, Henri Cosquer, exploring a long ascending tunnel discovered the cave which now bears his name. During his subsequent solo visits to his secret garden, he had a frightening experience when his lamp went off, then eventually he went back with friends, one of them discovered a hand print, and he reported his discovery : This is the official story. It was marred by delays in reporting it, by the deaths of divers in the tunnel, and accusations of falsehood.
Jean Courtin was the director of the CNRS, expert in neolithic, and an experienced diver. With his friend Jean Clottes , the expert of ornate caves in France, in the eye of a storm of polemics, he set out to explore what turned out to be a cave painted by Cromagnon men 27,000 years ago, and again 18,000 years ago.
Their second book, Cosquer redecouvert, came out in 2006. There are over 50 hand prints in the cave including children's, 7 feet off the ground which means they had to be on their dad's shoulders. This one is on the book cover.
Jean Courtin was the director of the CNRS, expert in neolithic, and an experienced diver. With his friend Jean Clottes , the expert of ornate caves in France, in the eye of a storm of polemics, he set out to explore what turned out to be a cave painted by Cromagnon men 27,000 years ago, and again 18,000 years ago.
Their second book, Cosquer redecouvert, came out in 2006. There are over 50 hand prints in the cave including children's, 7 feet off the ground which means they had to be on their dad's shoulders. This one is on the book cover.
It is the Cosquer encyclopedia . Jean Clottes had to become a certified diver in his 70's and the gruelling job of studying the cave was orchestrated by Luc Vanrell, who specializes in extreme photography and extreme jobs. He is still in charge of the cave and responsable for improving the technology which will be used to record every inch on film.
Luc Vanrell, Jean Courtin, Jean Clottes under some of the hands painted on drapery stalactites.
Jean Clottes and Jean Courtin do appreciate how lucky they are in front of the panel of horses.
The limestone is so porous and cracked that there is no problem with breathing. In some places it is only 15 feet thick. Jean Courtin says that one can hear the engine of boats passing by!
The tunnel follows a natural clivage.
The tunnel follows a natural clivage.
Penguins of Provence : 2 males posturing for a female (Photo Luc Vanrell)
Behind this cliff is the room with the horses, about 15 feet in panel
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