A recent discovery of fake prehistoric paintings in a cave in the Comminges region of southern France has ignited anger among archaeology specialists, who are calling these fraudulent artworks insulting to ancient artists. Daniel Quettier, president of the Southern Society of Speleology and Prehistory, discovered two painted horses on cave walls in Juzet-d'Izaut, Haute-Garonne, that initially appeared to resemble authentic prehistoric artwork dating back over 10,000 years.
However, Quettier's expert eye quickly identified the paintings as modern forgeries. "This is the second time since the beginning of the year that this has happened in the area," lamented Victor Riout, secretary of the prehistory section of the association. The fake paintings represent a growing trend of vandalism that is damaging ancient cave sites throughout the Pyrenees region.
The proliferation of these fraudulent paintings poses significant challenges for the archaeological community. With over 3,000 documented caves in the Ariège, Haute-Garonne, and Hautes-Pyrénées regions, vandals have numerous targets to choose from. While some well-known caves benefit from protection and surveillance, the vast majority remain freely accessible and unmonitored.
"We don't want the closure of these caves," Riout emphasized. "We simply want people to be respectful. But caves are sometimes vandalized, damaged by paintings, or subjected to illegal excavations, even though only authorized archaeologists are permitted to conduct such work. It's really unfortunate." The vandalism not only damages natural formations that have existed for centuries but also creates confusion for legitimate researchers.
These imitation paintings present a particular problem when discovered in previously unexplored caves, as they can initially fool even experienced archaeologists. In the Juzet-d'Izaut case, Riout's trained eye quickly solved the mystery: "There could have been slight doubt about the upper horse, but it was immediately dispelled by the red pigments, which were far too bright. There's also a small horse made using a stencil technique, and this method didn't exist during prehistoric times."
Authentic prehistoric cave art is extremely difficult to replicate faithfully. "Prehistoric humans were true artists, very talented," Riout explained. "They knew perfectly how to work with the natural volume of cave walls to bring forms to life." This sophisticated understanding of three-dimensional space and natural rock formations made their artwork uniquely integrated with the cave environment.
Riout considers these fake paintings as more than mere pranks, viewing them as genuine insults to prehistoric artists who created masterpieces thousands of years ago. Instead of creating fraudulent art, he encourages curious visitors to admire authentic prehistoric wonders that can be found at several remarkable sites throughout the Occitanie region, including the Niaux cave in Ariège, Pech Merle cave in Lot, and Gargas cave in Hautes-Pyrénées.
The ongoing vandalism highlights the delicate balance between public access to archaeological sites and their preservation. While experts advocate for keeping caves accessible to the public, they stress the urgent need for greater respect and awareness of these irreplaceable cultural treasures that represent humanity's earliest artistic expressions.
