
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