← Back to the map

Gargas Cave

France · Europe
Prehistoric cave art at Gargas Cave© Yoanrumeau · CC BY-SA 3.0
Notable

Over 200 haunting hand stencils — their missing fingers still unexplained

Age
~27,000 yrs
Period
Gravettian
Setting
Cave
Art form
Paintings
Discovered
1906
Status
Open to Visitors
⧗ See it on the timeline

Famous for its 200+ hand stencils, many showing fingers that appear partially missing or bent — a mystery still debated: ritual mutilation, disease, cold damage, or a sign language? Also contains large-scale animal engravings.

Gallery

Notable Features

  • ◦ 200+ Hand Stencils
  • ◦ Mutilated/Bent Finger Hands
  • ◦ Large Animal Engravings

Depicted Subjects

Human HandsHorsesBisonIbexMammoths

Plan a Visit

AccessThis cave can be visited.
Sources & Further Reading
≡ Wikipedia➤ Directions
Hours & prices change — always confirm on the official site before travelling.
Photographs via Wikimedia Commons — image credits. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.