Laugerie-Basse
An Upper Paleolithic archaeological site renowned for Magdalenian artworks and a key location in understanding prehistoric human creativity in southwestern France.
At a glance
Laugerie-Basse ranks among the most significant Upper Paleolithic sites in Europe. Its layers preserve evidence of sustained human occupation and artistic production during the Magdalenian period. The site has yielded numerous works of art that illuminate the cultural sophistication of prehistoric communities.
History
Located in the Dordogne’s Vézère Valley, Laugerie-Basse documents millennia of prehistoric habitation. The Magdalenian occupation represents one of the site’s most notable phases, during which inhabitants created portable artworks and left other cultural traces. In 1979, UNESCO recognized the site as part of the Prehistoric Sites and Decorated Caves of the Vézère Valley, a World Heritage inscription that acknowledges the valley’s exceptional concentration of Paleolithic heritage.
What you see
The site presents stratified deposits revealing occupation layers spanning the Upper Paleolithic. Visitors encounter archaeological remains and interpretive displays documenting the evidence recovered from excavations. The physical setting within the Vézère Valley landscape situates Laugerie-Basse within a region dense with prehistoric rock shelters and decorated caves.
Cultural significance
Laugerie-Basse exemplifies the artistic and technical achievements of Magdalenian peoples. The works of art recovered here contribute to understanding prehistoric symbolic expression and social complexity. Its inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage designation reflects the broader importance of the Vézère Valley as a crucible of human cultural development during the late Ice Age.
Key facts
- Country: France
- Location: Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil, Dordogne
- Coordinates: 44.57°N, 0.60°E
- UNESCO World Heritage Site (1979): Prehistoric Sites and Decorated Caves of the Vézère Valley
Practical information & getting there
The site lies within the Vézère Valley, which is accessible from the Dordogne region. You can visit as part of exploring the valley’s network of Paleolithic sites and caves. Local tourism offices provide guidance on visiting archaeological locations and museums displaying artifacts from Laugerie-Basse and nearby sites.
Sources & resources
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