Two Bison sculpture is located in the Tuc d’Audoubert cave in Ariege in southwest France. Tuc d’Audoubert is part of a cave complex of three caves. It was discovered in 1912 by three brothers. The two bison have been sculpted in relief using a stone spatula-like tool and fingers. They were found at the farthest end of the cave. The sculpture is among the largest and finest surviving prehistoric sculptures. The bison are known for their realistic appearance and mastery in details of the unknown artist who created them.
Table of Contents
S1 – Discovery
Tuc d’Audoubert is part of a cave complex of three large caves: Trois-Freres at the center, Enlène to the east, and the Tuc d’Audoubert to the west. It was discovered by the three sons of Comte Bégouën: Max, Louis and Jacques Bégouën; and their friend François Camel. The three brothers were still in their teenage when they discovered Tuc d’Audoubert in 1912. The famous clay bison are located at the farthest limit of Tuc d’Audoubert, 700m from the entrance. This deepest room of the cave is now known as the Room of the Bison.
S2 – Description
Two Bison sculpture has been sculpted in relief on a natural outcropping of rock. Originally a calf stood by the front legs of the bison on the right side. Each sculpture is about 2 feet long. The clay used to create it has been taken from the wall of an adjoining cavern. The sculpture depicts a male and female bison who appear to be getting ready to mate.
Despite the small size of the sculpture, it is remarkable for its detail and its very realistic appearance. This can be seen in the fullness of the haunch and shoulder and the shaggy manes. Though it is three-dimensional, it shares conventions with cave paintings. Its ancient creator has rendered the two figures in fairly strict profile so that they are viewable from one side only.
S3 – Age
The Two Bison sculpture at Tuc d’Audoubert dates to around 13,000 BCE. Despite being 15,000 years old, the sculpture is reasonably well preserved. This is partly due to the restricted access policy since almost the day of its discovery. Only researchers are allowed to enter the caves.
S4 – Paleolithic Art Overview
Main Sources
S1, S2:-
“Tuc d’Audoubert”. Don’s Maps
S3:-
Muzdakis, Madeleine. (Jan 26, 2021). “15,000-Year-Old Bison Sculptures Are Perfectly Preserved in a French Cave”. My Modern MET.