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In 1908, Cap Blanc was discovered under supervision, while others worked nearby uncovering Lascaux and the Lascaux cave. While digging they found one of the most impressive carvings from the upper paleolithic
Following the uncovering of this, the carving and additional frieze, in 1911, they built protective walls around the area. It included lowering the floor. And, at which point one of the workers hit a skull. It was Magdalenian women.

It is located in the Marquay commune, on the right bank of the Beune River. A few kilometers west of Eyzies-de-Tayac, in Dordogne

What is a frieze? A frieze is a broad horizontal band of sculpted or painted decoration, especially on a wall near the ceiling.

The frieze depicts a number of animals, some in haut-relief, and is dating back 15,000 years
These include ten horses, (one measuring 2.20 m long); and, at least three bison, ibex and several incomplete figures. The sculpted frieze occupies 13 of the 16 meters of the shelter.

Red ochre covers much of the frieze. And, some of the carving are as much as 30 cm deep
Though its old, and some of the areas around it are difficult to interprit.

Among other, flint; and other tools were found. Probably used to create the frieze
And, with Magdalenian women, burins and scrapers were found.

The skeleton known as Magdalenian women, is that of an early modern human. Dating from 13,000 to 11,000 BCE
It is the most complete upper paleolithic skeleton in northern Europe. When Magdalenian women was acquired in 1926, for the Field Museum in Chicago, Illinois. It was hailed as one of the most significant acquisitions the museum ever made.

Did you know? On the first day the precious skeleton was exhibited, tens of thousands of visitors flocked to the museum to see it.

In 1910, the site was classified as a French historical monument. Currently there are guided tours, a museum and replica of magdelenian women. Be sure to check it out!

Bibliography: Bahn, Paul G.; Vertut, Jean (1997). Journey Through the Ice Age. University of California Press. p. 112. ISBN9780520229006.

Louis Capitan and Denis Peyrony , ” Three new fossil skeletons ,” Anthropological Review , n o 22,1912, P. 439-442 [1]

“Prehistoric Sites and Decorated Caves of the Vézère Valley”. UNESCO