Grotte de Boussaingault, Boigneville, Essonne © D Caldwell 2011
Stag, quadruped, forked staff & grid, Segognole 4, France
Vulva, 2 horses & a heavily etched outline of a thigh, which doubles as a bison’s tail
A typical chasm leading to a hidden art cave
Leaf shadows on rock
A typical incised rock shelter
A grid anthropomorph? Supposedly Mesolithic, but I have my doubts. See my articles about dating the “classic” style in the Massif de Fontainebleau for details.
Laurent filling out the archaeological inventory form above a small, remote shelter
A vulvar symbol? Segognole 4, Noisy-sur-Ecole © 2009 D. Caldwell
The back entrance to one of the most important art caves
An abandoned stack of cobbles made by quarrying rock shelters
Rubble from quarrying caves for cobble stones © Duncan Caldwell 2009
An 18th-19th C quarry workers’ shelter filled with their graffiti
Quarry workers’ names, dates & other incisions
Vallée Clos 4, Larchant, Seine-et-Marne Medieval art cave
A man with a horn or trumpet in his mouth, a quadruped behind his neck & a probable owl below it, Vallée Clos 4, Larchant, Seine-et-Marne Medieval cave © D. Caldwell
Vallée Clos 4, Larchant, Seine-et-Marne Medieval are cave © D. Caldwell
A dog pursuing a rabbit or hare, Vallée Clos 4, Larchant, Seine-et-Marne Medieval art cave © D. Caldwell
A bird, Vallée Clos 4, Larchant, Seine-et-Marne Medieval art cave © D. Caldwell
A dog pursuing a rabbit or hare, Vallée Clos 4, Larchant, Seine-et-Marne Medieval art cave © D. Caldwell
The man blowing the trumpet or horn, Vallée Clos 4, Larchant, Seine-et-Marne Medieval art cave © D. Caldwell
Vallée Clos 4, Larchant, Seine-et-Marne Medieval cave © D. Caldwell
Vallée Clos 4, Larchant, Seine-et-Marne medieval art cave © D. Caldwell
An armored knight with a sword, helmet & shield, Vallée Clos 4, Larchant, Seine-et-Marne medieval cave Dordogne © 2011 D. Caldwell
Laurent tracing in a medieval art cave, Vallée Clos 4, Larchant, © D Caldwell 2011
Laurent Valois tracing in medieval art cave, Vallée Clos 4, Larchant, © D Caldwell 2011
Blocks with cavities, Larchant, Seine-et-Marne © 2007 Duncan Caldwell
Grotte de la Peinture, Larchant, Seine-et-Marne © 2011 D. Caldwell. See my controversial article on the cave in the Journal of Archaeological Science.
Stele at entrance of the Grotte de la Peinture, Larchant, Seine-et-Marne © 2011 D. Caldwell
Entrance stele, Grotte de la Peinture, Larchant, Seine-et-Marne © 2011 D. Caldwell. Several of the motifs on the stele are clearly medieval, but most French prehistorians insist that it is largely Mesolithic.
Entrance stele, Grotte de la Peinture, Larchant, Seine-et-Marne © 2011 D. Caldwell
"Apple tree" possible cloudburst, Grotte de la Peinture, Larchant © 2011 D. Caldwell
Pigment on disenterred boulder, Grotte de la Peinture, Larchant, Seine-et-Marne © 2011 D. Caldwell. Although it was thought at first that the “paintings” might be Mesolithic, Uli Botzojorns & I proved they were modern letters.
Pigment on disenterred boulder, Grotte de la Peinture, Larchant, Seine-et-Marne © 2011 D. Caldwell
Pigment on disenterred boulder, Grotte de la Peinture, Larchant, Seine-et-Marne © 2011 D. Caldwell
Pigment on disenterred boulder, Grotte de la Peinture, Larchant, Seine-et-Marne © 2011 D. Caldwell
Vulvar frieze, Grotte de la Peinture, Larchant, Seine-et-Marne © 2011 D. Caldwell
Vulvar frieze, Grotte de la Peinture, Larchant, Seine-et-Marne © 2011 D. Caldwell
Vulvar frieze, Grotte de la Peinture, Larchant, Seine-et-Marne © 2011 D. Caldwell
Vulva & anthropomorphs, Grotte de la Peinture, Larchant, Seine-et-Marne © 2011 Duncan Caldwell
Anthropomorph in vulvar frieze, Grotte de la Peinture, Larchant, Seine-et-Marne © 2011 D. Caldwell. Several of the smaller vulvas on the wall are punctuated lozenges, which appear in conjunction with phalluses in a late medieval cave called Chateau Renard 2 nearby.
Rayed cupule on ceiling (possible celestial body), Grotte de la Peinture, Larchant, Seine-et-Marne © 2011 Duncan Caldwell
"Piano keyboard" grill, Grotte de la Peinture, Larchant, Seine-et-Marne © 2011 D. Caldwell
Paintings of two possible animals, Grotte de la Peinture, Larchant, Seine-et-Marne © 2011 D. Caldwell
Blue hyacinths around Coquibus, Milly-la-Foret © 2007 D. Caldwell
Blue hyacinths around Coquibus, Milly-la-Foret © 2007 D. Caldwell
Blue hyacinths around Coquibus, Milly-la-Foret © 2007 D. Caldwell
Blue hyacinths around Coquibus, Milly-la-Foret © 2007 D. Caldwell
Blue hyacinths around Coquibus, Milly-la-Foret © 2007 D. Caldwell
Blue hyacinths around Coquibus, Milly-la-Foret © 2007 D. Caldwell
Blue hyacinths, Essonne © D Caldwell 2012
Blue hyacinths, Essonne © D Caldwell 2012
Anemones, Massif de Fontainebleau wildflowers © 2007 D. Caldwell
Arrow penetrating turnip-headed figure holding spear, Coquibus 3, Knight's Cave, Grotte du Cavalier, Milly-la-Foret, Essonne © 2007 D. Caldwell
Two turnip-headed loop figures, Coquibus 3, Knight's Cave, Milly-la-Foret, Essonne © 2007 D. Caldwell
Turnip-headed loop figure, Coquibus 3, Grotte du Cavalier, Knight's Cave, Milly-la-Foret, Essonne © 2007 D. Caldwell
Turnip-headed loop figure, Coquibus 3, Knight's Cave, Grotte du Cavalier, Milly-la-Foret, Essonne © 2007 D. Caldwell
Central engraved bulge, Coquibus 3, Knight's Cave, Essonne © 2007 D. Caldwell
Anthropomorph above central "birthing throne", which has a hole in the seat, Coquibus 3, Knight's Cave, Grotte du Cavalier, Milly-la-Foret, Essonne © 2007 D. Caldwell
Anthropomorph above "birthing throne", Coquibus 3, Knight's Cave, Grotte du Cavalier, Milly-la-Foret, Essonne © 2007 D. Caldwell
Anthropomorph over "birthing throne", Coquibus 3, Grotte du Cavalier, Knight's Cave, Milly-la-Foret, Essonne © 2007 D. Caldwell
Anthropomorph & triple enciente, Coquibus 3, Grotte du Cavalier, Knight's Cave, Essonne © 2007 D. Caldwell. Similar motifs were made at least through the late Middle Ages.
Turnip-headed loop figure, Coquibus 3, Knight's Cave, Grotte du Cavalier, Milly-la-Foret, Essonne © 2007 D. Caldwell
Mounted knight with sword, shield & lance, Coquibus 3, Knight's Cave, Grotte du Cavalier, Milly-la-Foret, Essonne © 2007 D. Caldwell. This medieval motif was clearly made after the introduction of the stirrup and jousting in France.
Mike Gramly on crutches at the stele-menhir du Paly, Milly-la-Foret © 2007 D. Caldwell
The stele-menhir du Paly, Milly-la-Foret, Essonne © D Caldwell 2011
The stele-menhir du Paly, Milly-la-Foret, Essonne © D Caldwell 2011
The stele-menhir du Paly, Milly-la-Foret, Essonne © D Caldwell 2011. My articles about the site can be downloaded from the publications page of this site.
Duncan at the stele-menhir du Paly, Milly-la-Foret, Essonne © D Caldwell 2011
“Goddess’s” face, Menhir du Paly, Milly-la-Foret, Essonne © D Caldwell 2011. I discovered the face years before publishing it.
Neolithic face of a "Goddess", East face of the stele-menhir du Paly, Milly-la-Foret © D Caldwell 2012
The stele-menhir du Paly, Milly-la-Foret, East face with Neolithic head of "Goddess" © D Caldwell 2012
The stele-menhir du Paly, Milly-la-Foret, East face with Neolithic head of "Goddess" © D Caldwell 2012
My friend, Erik Gonthier of the Musée de l’Homme, embracing the stele-menhir du Paly, Milly-la-Foret © D Caldwell 2012
The cruciform “idol” discovered by my dear friend, Laurent Valois, on the other side of the stele-menhir du Paly, Milly-la-Foret, Essonne © D Caldwell 2011. I demonstrated that it was Neolithic in a pair of articles.
The stele-menhir du Paly & engraved horizontal slab, Milly-la-Foret © D Caldwell 2012. See my analysis of the organization of the site in my articles.
Engraved horizontal slab beside the stele-menhir du Paly, Milly-la-Foret © D Caldwell 2012
My close friend, Mike Gramly, on crutches at the stele-menhir du Paly, Milly-la-Foret © 2007 D. Caldwell
"Breasts" & cruciform motif on slab, Menhir du Paly complex, Milly-la-Foret, Essonne © 2012 Duncan Caldwell
Slab, Menhir du Paly complex, Milly-la-Foret, Essonne © 2012 D. Caldwell
Polished & incised basin on slab, Menhir du Paly complex, Milly-la-Foret, Essonne © 2012 D. Caldwell
Polished & incised basin on slab, Menhir du Paly complex, Milly-la-Foret, Essonne © 2012 D. Caldwell
Two incised & polished basins on slab with compass, Menhir du Paly complex, Milly-la-Foret, Essonne © 2012 D. Caldwell
Two incised & polished basins on slab, Menhir du Paly complex, Milly-la-Foret, Essonne © 2012 D. Caldwell
The stele-menhir du Paly, Milly-la-Foret, West face with Neolithic cruciform idol © D Caldwell 2012
Tree fungus & standing boulder, Seine-et-Marne © 2011 D. Caldwell
Grand Montagne 7, Neolithic Goddess cave, Trois Pignons Forest, Essonne © 2007 D. Caldwell
Neolithic goddess Venus Cave, La Grande Montagne 7, Trois Pignons, Essonne © 2007 D. Caldwell
Tattooed face, Grand Montagne 7, Neolithic Goddess cave, Trois Pignons Forest, Essonne © 2007 Duncan Caldwell
The face of the Neolithic “goddess” is below the slit, Grand Montagne 7, Trois Pignons, Essonne Caves © 2007 D. Caldwell
Face with tattoo lines & necklaces, Grand Montagne 7, Neolithic Goddess cave, Trois Pignons Forest, Essonne © 2007 D. Caldwell
Essonne Neolithic goddess Venus Cave, La Grande Montagne 7, Trois Pignons © 2007 D. Caldwell
Fruit left in cleft, Grand Montagne 7, Neolithic Goddess cave, Trois Pignons Forest, Essonne © 2012 Duncan Caldwell
Fruit left in cleft as offering, Grand Montagne 7 Neolithic "goddess" below apple, Trois Pignons forest, Essonne © D Caldwell 2012
Grand Montagne 7, Neolithic Goddess cave, Trois Pignons Forest, Essonne © 2007 D. Caldwell
Eyes? Grand Montagne 7, Neolithic Goddess cave, Trois Pignons Forest, Essonne © 2007 D. Caldwell
Concentric circles with crosses, Grand Montagne 7, Neolithic Goddess cave, Trois Pignons Forest, Essonne © 2007 D. Caldwell
Grand Montagne 7, Neolithic Goddess cave, Trois Pignons Forest, Essonne © 2007 D. Caldwell
Grand Montagne 7, Neolithic Goddess cave, Trois Pignons Forest, Essonne © 2007 Duncan Caldwell
My sister, Susanna, at Grand Montagne 7, Trois Pignons, Seine-et-Marne/Essonne Caves © 2007 D. Caldwell
“Astral owl”, Grand Montagne 1, Trois Pignons, Essonne © 2007 D. Caldwell
“Astral owl”, Grand Montagne 1, Trois Pignons, Essonne © 2007 D. Caldwell
A complex motif that I dubbed the “Astral owl”, La Grande Montagne 1, Trois Pignons cave with grids, Massif de Fontainebleau cave © 2007 Duncan Caldwell
My so-called Astral owl, La Grande Montagne 1, Trois Pignons cave with grids, Massif de Fontainebleau © 2007 Duncan Caldwell
Cruciform on grid, Grand Montagne 1, Trois Pignons, Essonne © 2007 Duncan Caldwell
Anthropomorph? Grand Montagne 1, Trois Pignons, Essonne © 2007 D. Caldwell
Animal (old?), Grand Montagne 1, Trois Pignons, Essonne © 2007 D. Caldwell
Right wall, Grand Montagne 1, Trois Pignons, Essonne © 2007 D. Caldwell
Grand Montagne I Cave, Trois Pignons, Essonne © 2009 D. Caldwell
Grand Montagne I Cave, Trois Pignons, Essonne © 2009 D. Caldwell
Grand Montagne 1, Trois Pignons, Essonne © 2007 D. Caldwell
Tahiti grafitti & 3 slot groupings, Grand Montagne 1, Trois Pignons, Essonne © 2007 D. Caldwell
Tahiti grafitti, Grand Montagne 1, Trois Pignons, Essonne © 2007 D. Caldwell
Grand Montagne I Cave, Trois Pignons, Essonne © 2009 D. Caldwell
My daughter, Olivia, in chasm, Larchant © 2007 D. Caldwell
Right horse, Magdalenian Vulva & Horse Chamber, Segognole 3 © 2009 D. Caldwell
Right horse & vulva, Segognole 3, Noisy-sur-Ecole © 2007 D. Caldwell. This cave figures prominently in an article of mine that National Geographic reported on.
Right horse & vulva, Segognole 3, Noisy-sur-Ecole © 2007 D. Caldwell. This ensemble is almost certainly about 15,000 years old, and is therefore Magdalenian.
Right horse & vulva, Segognole 3, Noisy-sur-Ecole © 2007 D. Caldwell
Two horses & vulva, Segognole 3, Noisy-sur-Ecole
Two horses & vulva, Segognole 3, Noisy-sur-Ecole © 2009 D. Caldwell
Horses & vulva, Segognole 3 © 2012 D. Caldwell
Segognole 3 with Bison's tail, Noisy-sur-Ecole © 2005 D. Caldwell
Detail of possible bison's tail with hammered rump contour
Postulated life-size couchant bison
Possible couchant bison in red
Possible couchant bison with explanatory text & red highlighting
Possible bison except hind leg & tail
Possible bison except for hind leg & tail - highlighted
Possible couchant bison forequarters with explanatory text & red highlighting
Essonne & Seine et Marne Caves © 2011 D. Caldwell
Stag with & without antlers, passing through transitional barrier, Segognole 4, Milly-la-Foret © 2009 D. Caldwell
Stag with & without antlers, passing through transitional barrier, Segognole 4, Milly-la-Foret © 2009 D. Caldwell
Stag with & without antlers, passing through transitional barrier, Segognole 4, Milly-la-Foret © 2007 D. Caldwell
Stag with & without antlers, passing through transitional barrier, Segognole 4, Milly-la-Foret © 2007 D. Caldwell
Stag with & without antlers, passing through transitional barrier, Segognole 4, Milly-la-Foret © 2007 D. Caldwell
Grids, Segognole 4, Milly-la-Foret © 2009 D. Caldwell
Segognole 4, Noisy-sur-Ecole © 2007 D. Caldwell
Segognole 4, Noisy-sur-Ecole © 2009 D. Caldwell
Puddle on quartzite rock formation, Moigny, Essonne © D Caldwell 2012
A stag with antlers faces the left in this view. Segognole 5 © D Caldwell 2011
Segognole 5, Noisy-sur-Ecole © 2010 D. Caldwell
Segognole 5 © D Caldwell 2011. One of the stags is at far left.
Duncan Caldwell in Segognole 5 © D. Caldwell 2010
Argeville lion cave, Essonne © 2010 D. Caldwell
Limestone block ceiling, upper tier, Argeville lion cave, Essonne cave © 2009 D. Caldwell
Medieval lion, Argeville lion cave, Essonne © 2010 D. Caldwell 67
Medieval lion, Argeville lion cave © 2009 D. Caldwell. Although other prehistorians think the lion is a late addition and therefore an anomaly, I’m not so sure that their attribution of the grids below it to the Mesolithic is correct.
Argeville lion cave, Essonne © 2010 D. Caldwell. At least part of the ensemble is medieval.
A donkey-like quadruped in front of the lion. Argeville lion cave, Essonne © 2010 D. Caldwell
Grotte de Boussaingault, Boigneville, Essonne © 2010 Duncan Caldwell
I introduced my friend, Erik Gonthier, who we see in the background, to the cave art of the Massif de Fontainebleau. Grotte de Boussaingault, Boigneville, Essonne © 2012 D. Caldwell
Grotte de Boussaingault, Boigneville, Essonne © 2012 Duncan Caldwell
Grotte de Boussaingault, Boigneville, Essonne © 2010 D. Caldwell
Grotte de Boussaingault, Boigneville, Essonne © 2010 D. Caldwell
Grotte de Boussaingault, Boigneville, Essonne © 2010 D. Caldwell
Grotte de Boussaingault, Boigneville, Essonne © 2009 D. Caldwell
Grotte de Boussaingault, Boigneville, Essonne © D Caldwell 2011
Ceiling cupules & possible zoomorphs, Grotte de Boussaingault, Boigneville, Essonne © 2009 D. Caldwell
Ceiling cupules & possible zoomorphs, Grotte de Boussaingault, Boigneville, Essonne © 2012 D. Caldwell
Duncan Caldwell in the Grotte de Boussaingault, Boigneville, Essonne
Bogs on plateau bedrock, Essonne & Seine-et-Marne caves zone © 2011 D. Caldwell
Neolithic hache à crosses, Axes, Le Larris des Boulins, Buno-Bonnevaux, Essonne © D. Caldwell 2011
Neolithic hache à crosses, Axes, Le Larris des Boulins, Buno-Bonnevaux, Essonne © D. Caldwell 2011
Neolithic hache à crosses, Axes, Le Larris des Boulins, Buno-Bonnevaux, Essonne © D. Caldwell 2011
Neolithic hache à crosses cave, Ensemble 4, Le Larris des Boulins, Buno-Bonnevaux, Essonne © Duncan Caldwell 2011
Neolithic hache à crosses cave, Ensemble 4, Le Larris des Boulins, Buno-Bonnevaux, Essonne © Duncan Caldwell 2011
Le Guerrier, Warrior, Neolithic hache à crosses cave, Axes, Le Larris des Boulins, Buno-Bonnevaux, Essonne © Duncan Caldwell 2011
Neolithic hache à crosses cave, Axes, Le Larris des Boulins, Buno-Bonnevaux © D. Caldwell 2011
Re-incised animal scratchings near hache à crosses, Axes, Le Larris des Boulins, Buno-Bonnevaux, Essonne © Duncan Caldwell 2011
Peau d'elephant boulder, Larchant © 2007 D. Caldwell
Duncan in La Plaine de Saint-Eloy, Maisse, Essonne © D. Caldwell 2011
Anthropomorph, La Plaine de Saint-Eloy, Maisse, Essonne © D. Caldwell 2011
Foot soles & Circular motif, La Plaine de Saint-Eloy, Maisse, Essonne © D. Caldwell 2011
Foot soles & Circular motif, La Plaine de Saint-Eloy, Maisse, Essonne © D. Caldwell 2011
Foot soles & Circular motif, La Plaine de Saint-Eloy, Maisse, Essonne © D.Caldwell 2011
La Plaine de Saint-Eloy, Maisse, Essonne © D. Caldwell 2011
Anthropomorph, La Plaine de Saint-Eloy, Maisse, Essonne © D. Caldwell 2011
Pateau edge near Coquibus & Milly-la-Foret, Essonne © Duncan Caldwell 2011
Parc aux Boeufs 1, Probable Neolithic art cave, Milly-la-Foret, Essonne © D. Caldwell 2012
Parc aux Boeufs 1, Probable Neolithic art cave, Milly-la-Foret, Essonne © Duncan Caldwell 2012
Parc aux Boeufs 1, Probable Neolithic art cave, Milly-la-Foret, Essonne © D. Caldwell 2012
Parc aux Boeufs 1, Probable Neolithic art cave, Milly-la-Foret, Essonne © D. Caldwell 2012
Parc aux Boeufs 1, Probable Neolithic art cave, Milly-la-Foret, Essonne © D. Caldwell 2012
Parc aux Boeufs 1, Probable Neolithic art cave, Milly-la-Foret, Essonne © D. Caldwell 2012
Parc aux Boeufs 1, Probable Neolithic art cave, Milly-la-Foret, Essonne © D. Caldwell 2012
Butte de Chatillon 5 Neolithic art cave, Milly-la-Foret, Essonne © D Caldwell 2012
Neolithic axe cave, Butte de Chatillon 5, Milly-la-Foret © D. Caldwell 2012. My article of the frieze inside can be downloaded from the publications page of this website.
U-shaped attribute (necklace?) atop upside-down hafted axe, Neolithic axe cave, Butte de Chatillon 5, Milly-la-Foret © Duncan Caldwell 2012
U-shaped attribute (necklace?) atop upside-down hafted axe, Neolithic axe cave, Butte de Chatillon 5, Milly-la-Foret © D. Caldwell 2012
U-shaped attribute (necklace?) atop upside-down hafted axe, Neolithic axe cave, Butte de Chatillon 5, Milly-la-Foret © D. Caldwell 2012
Upside-down hache à crosse, Neolithic axe cave, Butte de Chatillon 5, Milly-la-Foret © D. Caldwell 2012
Neolithic axe cave, Butte de Chatillon 5, Milly-la-Foret © D. Caldwell 2012
Neolithic axe cave, Butte de Chatillon 5, Milly-la-Foret © D. Caldwell 2012
T-sign & upside-down axe, Butte de Chatillon 5 Neolithic axe cave© D Caldwell 2011
Erik Gonthier at Butte de Chatillon 5 © D.Caldwell 2012
Lizard-like quadruped, La Roche au Fees, Busseau © D. Caldwell 2011
Lizard-like quadruped, La Roche au Fees, Busseau © D. Caldwell 2011
Lizard-like quadruped, La Roche au Fees, Busseau © D. Caldwell 2011
Olivia Caldwell at Poligny polissoir near Nemours © D. Caldwell 2007
Antelope, horses or deer, Rocher de Dame Jouanne 28, Paleolithic cave, Larchant, Seine-et-Marne © D. Caldwell 2012
Antelope, horses or deer, Rocher de Dame Jouanne 28, Paleolithic cave, Larchant, Seine-et-Marne © D. Caldwell 2012
Woman, Venus? Rocher de Dame Jouanne 28, Paleolithic cave, Larchant, Seine-et-Marne © D. Caldwell 2012
Antelope, horses or deer, Rocher de Dame Jouanne 28, Paleolithic cave, Larchant, Seine-et-Marne © D. Caldwell 2012
Overhangs & caves, Larchant, Seine-et-Marne © 2007 D. Caldwell
Tree growing from chasm, Larchant, Seine-et-Marne © D. Caldwell 2007
Bird nest in cave © D. Caldwell 2007
Swallow nest on rock face © D. Caldwell 2009
Piano keyboard & rayed half circle cave, Auxy, Buthiers, Seine-et-Marne © D. Caldwell 2013
Climbing into Grotte à Deux Etages, Buthiers, Seine-et-Marne caves © Duncan Caldwell 2013
View from Grotte à Deux Etages, Buthiers, Seine-et-Marne caves © D. Caldwell 2013
Grotte à Deux Etages, Buthiers, Seine-et-Marne caves © D. Caldwell 2013
Neolithic axes beyond “keyboard”, Grotte à Deux Etages, Buthiers, Seine-et-Marne caves © D. Caldwell 2013
Grotte à Deux Etages, Buthiers, Seine-et-Marne caves © D. Caldwell 2013
Grotte de deux étages, Buthiers, Seine-et-Marne caves © D. Caldwell 2013
Grotte à Deux Etages, Buthiers, Seine-et-Marne caves © D. Caldwell 2013
Grotte à Deux Etages, Buthiers, Seine-et-Marne caves © D. Caldwell 2013
Grotte à Deux Etages, Buthiers, Seine-et-Marne caves © D. Caldwell 2013
Grotte à Deux Etages, Buthiers, Seine-et-Marne caves © D. Caldwell 2013
Loop grotto, Buthiers, Seine-et-Marne © D. Caldwell 2013
Natural arch, Buthiers, Seine-et-Marne © Duncan Caldwell 2013
Grotte de la Hache, Buthiers, Seine-et-Marne caves © Duncan Caldwell 2013
Grotte de la Hache, Buthiers, Seine-et-Marne caves © D. Caldwell 2013
Grotte de la Hache, Buthiers, Seine-et-Marne caves © D. Caldwell 2013
Grotte de la Hache, Buthiers, Seine-et-Marne caves © D. Caldwell 2013
Grotte de la Hache, Buthiers, Seine-et-Marne caves © D. Caldwell 2013
Grotte de la Hache, Buthiers, Seine-et-Marne caves © D. Caldwell 2013
Grotte de la Hache, Buthiers, Seine-et-Marne caves © D. Caldwell 2013
Grotte de la Hache, Buthiers, Seine-et-Marne caves © D. Caldwell 2013
Grotte de la Hache, Buthiers, Seine-et-Marne caves © D. Caldwell 2013
Trees above boulders, Essonne © Duncan Caldwell 2011
Le Cro-Marin, Long Rocher, Montigny-sur-Loing, Seine-et-Marne Paleolithic art cave © 2007 D. Caldwell
Le Cro-Marin, Long Rocher, Montigny-sur-Loing, Seine-et-Marne Paleolithic art cave © 2007 D. Caldwell
Horned bovid, Le Cro-Marin, Long Rocher, Montigny-sur-Loing, Seine-et-Marne Paleolithic art cave © 2007 D. Caldwell
Red ochre bovid & abstract sign, Le Cro-Marin, Long Rocher, Montigny-sur-Loing, Seine-et-Marne Paleolithic art cave © 2007 D. Caldwell
Le Cro-Marin, Long Rocher, Montigny-sur-Loing, Seine-et-Marne Paleolithic art cave © 2007 D. Caldwell
Abstract sign & red ochre bovid, Le Cro-Marin, Long Rocher, Montigny-sur-Loing, Seine-et-Marne Paleolithic art cave © 2007 D. Caldwell
Le Cro-Marin, Long Rocher, Montigny-sur-Loing, Seine-et-Marne Paleolithic art cave © 2007 D. Caldwell
Le Cro-Marin, Long Rocher, Montigny-sur-Loing, Seine-et-Marne Paleolithic art cave © 2007 D. Caldwell
Le Cro-Marin, Long Rocher, Montigny-sur-Loing, Seine-et-Marne Paleolithic art cave © 2007 D. Caldwell
Le Cro-Marin, Long Rocher, Montigny-sur-Loing, Seine-et-Marne Paleolithic art cave © 2007 D. Caldwell
Le Cro-Marin, Long Rocher, Montigny-sur-Loing, Seine-et-Marne Paleolithic art cave © 2007 D. Caldwell
Erik Gonthier in l'abri de la Feuillardière © D Caldwell 2011
Butte de Chatillon Moss & cavity © D Caldwell 2011
Tree & cliffs, Essonne © D Caldwell 2011
Engraved walls, Cave Duguet, Sénonais, Yonne © D Caldwell 2011
Engraved walls, Cave Duguet, Sénonais, Yonne © D Caldwell 2011. These engravings were made between the late Middle Ages & 19th century.
Engraved walls, Cave Duguet, Sénonais, Yonne © D Caldwell 2011
Engraved walls, Cave Duguet, Sénonais, Yonne © D Caldwell 2011
Engraved walls, Cave Duguet, Sénonais, Yonne © D Caldwell 2011
Engraved walls, Cave Duguet, Sénonais, Yonne © D Caldwell 2011
Engraved walls, Cave Duguet, Sénonais, Yonne © D Caldwell 2011
Engraved walls, Cave Duguet, Sénonais, Yonne © D Caldwell 2011
Engraved walls, Cave Duguet, Sénonais, Yonne © D Caldwell 2011
Ivy on cliff © D. Caldwell 2009
Tree amid cliffs, Essonne © D Caldwell 2011
Face-like polissoir, Lailly, Vanne Valley, Yonne, © D Caldwell 2011
Boulder geode in Forest, Essonne © D Caldwell 2012
Natural arch on cliff, Essonne © D Caldwell 2012
Pine, cliff & overhangs, Essonne© D Caldwell 2012
Fish skull cavities, Essonne © D Caldwell 2012
Cave pillar, Essonne © D Caldwell 2012
Sadie & my intern, Uli Botzojorns, in the Knight cave (Coquibus 3), Essonne © D Caldwell 2012
Sadie & Uli in the Knight cave, Essonne © D Caldwell 2012
Essonne cave © D Caldwell 2012
Pine sapling & moss in rock crevice, Essonne © D Caldwell 2012
Wildflower growing from rock face, Essonne © D Caldwell 2012
Huge mushroom, Essonne © D Caldwell 2012
Cobblestone pyramid from cliff, Milly-la-Foret © D Caldwell 2012
Cobblestone pyramid from cliff, Milly-la-Foret © D Caldwell 2012
Essonne River through leaves, Argeville lion cave © D Caldwell 2012
Concentric painting on cliff, Seine-et-Marne © D Caldwell 2012
Concentric painting on cliff, Seine-et-Marne © D Caldwell 2012
Concentric painting on cliff, Seine-et-Marne© D Caldwell 2012
Concentric painting on cliff, Seine-et-Marne © D Caldwell 2012
Concentric painting on cliff, Seine-et-Marne © D Caldwell 2012
Concentric painting on cliff, Seine-et-Marne © D Caldwell 2012
Concentric painting on cliff, Seine-et-Marne © D Caldwell 2012
Modern painted graffiti with Mesolithic incisions in the background
Engravings through natural porthole, Larchant © 2007 Duncan Caldwell
Partie des Longs Vaux 4, aka Le Pas des Sangliers, Grotte médiévale. Cave with deer, plumed figure, Milly-la-Foret © 2013 D Caldwell
Partie des Longs Vaux 4, aka Le Pas des Sangliers, Grotte médiévale. Cave with deer, plumed figure, Milly-la-Foret © 2013 D Caldwell
Double loop enciente, Partie des Longs Vaux 4, aka Le Pas des Sangliers, Grotte médiévale. Cave with deer, plumed figure, Milly-la-Foret © 2013 D Caldwell
Partie des Longs Vaux 4, aka Le Pas des Sangliers, Grotte médiévale. Cave with deer, plumed figure, Milly-la-Foret © 2013 D Caldwell
Stag facing right, Partie des Longs Vaux 4, aka Le Pas des Sangliers, Grotte médiévale. Cave with deer, plumed figure, Milly-la-Foret © 2013 D Caldwell
Unique frond-like patterns by an occasional pool.
Bird-man cave, Bois du Vieux Cimetière 1, Champcueil, Essonne © 2013 D. Caldwell
Bird-man cave, Bois du Vieux Cimetière 1, Champcueil, Essonne © 2013 D. Caldwell
“Bird-man cave”, Bois du Vieux Cimetière 1, Champcueil, Essonne © 2013 D. Caldwell
Bird-man cave, Bois du Vieux Cimetière 1, Champcueil, Essonne © 2013 D. Caldwell 09
Bird-man cave, Bois du Vieux Cimetière 1, Champcueil, Essonne © 2013 D. Caldwell
Bird-man cave, Bois du Vieux Cimetière 1, Champcueil, Essonne © 2013 D. Caldwell
Bird-man cave, Bois du Vieux Cimetière 1, Champcueil, Essonne © 2013 D. Caldwell
Bird-man cave, Bois du Vieux Cimetière 1, Champcueil, Essonne © 2013 D. Caldwell
Bird-man cave, Bois du Vieux Cimetière 1, Champcueil, Essonne © 2013 D. Caldwell
Bird-man cave, Bois du Vieux Cimetière 1, Champcueil, Essonne © 2013 D. Caldwell
Bird-man cave, Bois du Vieux Cimetière 1, Champcueil, Essonne © 2013 D. Caldwell
Bird-man cave, Bois du Vieux Cimetière 1, Champcueil, Essonne © 2013 D. Caldwell
Bird-man cave, Bois du Vieux Cimetière 1, Champcueil, Essonne © 2013 D. Caldwell
Bird-man cave, Bois du Vieux Cimetière 1, Champcueil, Essonne © 2013 D. Caldwell
Bird-man cave, Bois du Vieux Cimetière 1, Champcueil, Essonne © 2013 D. Caldwell
Bird-man cave, Bois du Vieux Cimetière 1, Champcueil, Essonne © 2013 D. Caldwell
Bird-man cave, Bois du Vieux Cimetière 1, Champcueil, Essonne © 2013 D. Caldwell
Bird-man cave, Bois du Vieux Cimetière 1, Champcueil, Essonne © 2013 D. Caldwell
A Celtic game or fortified enclosure plan
A complex pattern amid relatively recent incisions
A heavily incised niche
GERSAR journal editor, Laurent Valois, prospecting
Duncan Caldwell in the Grotte de Boussaingault, Boigneville, Essonne

Rock & Cave Art of the Yonne

& Ile-de-France


The Massif de Fontainebleau and its surroundings contain a nearly endless natural sculpture garden of tumbled blocks, boulders and cliffs that provide the support for art from the mid-Magdalenian of 15,000 years ago to the late Middle Ages.

The following pictures, which may be individually enlarged or watched as a slideshow, were taken while prospecting for sites within an hour and a half of Paris in the Ile-de-France and Yonne.