Rock-with-wizard

The commune of Angle-on-the Anglin, in the Vienna (France) conceals a site decorated with parietal monumental sculptures dating from the higher Paléolithique, more precisely of the average Magdalénien (approximately 14.000 years ago). It is about a Abri-sous-roche called the Rock-with-Wizard , because of a local legend according to which the wizards and witches met in this place. The Rock-with-Wizard is well the name of the said place, mentioned in the literature by Mr. Rougé (1904) before the discovery of the archeological site.

The site

The shelter, opened in the south, is located at the foot of cliffs of Soft, on Right Bank of Anglin, to approximately 1,5 km downstream from the village. It is composed of two parts geologically distinct: downstream the Bourdois Shelter, which are a traditional rock shelter, with weak corbelling, and upstream the Cellar Taillebourg (in the past Cave with Lucien Jacob), deeper and which corresponds to a typical hall. These two parts are currently separated by a not excavated zone, preserved like holds archaeological. The site is classified Historic building since January 18th, 1955. The name of the former owners of the pieces were kept to indicate the excavated sectors, namely Mrs Bourdois and Mr Taillebourg.

History of research

Research with the Rock-with-Wizard begins since 1927, date on which Lucien Rousseau discovers the prehistoric occupation and identifies average Magdalénien. It starts to excavate with the front of the Taillebourg Cellar and puts at the day a engraved flagstone on which Henri Breuil reads a representation of mammoth. Lucien Rousseau publishes his work in the Bulletin of the French Prehistoric Company , in 1933 (Rousseau, 1933, p.239-256)

A few years later, Suzanne de Saint-Mathurin takes note of this article and decides to continue the excavations there, in the hope to discover there engraved plates similar to those of the cave of Walk (Lussac-the-Castles, Vienna). Helped of her friend Dorothy Garrod, it takes again research, in an intensive way between 1947 and 1957, then more sporadically until 1964. Very quickly, the two women discover blocks presenting of the figurations of bisons, horses, ibexes, cat-like and the portrait of a man, carved, engraved and sometimes painted. These blocks are actually fragments of the ploughed up ceiling of the Taillebourg Cellar. Only a carved and painted bison remained in place on the vault.

The carved plank in situ is discovered since 1950. It is made up of bisons, horses, ibexes, cat-like, body of women, without head nor feet, called Venus, of human faces.

The carved plank of the Bourdois Shelter

The plank carved exceptional by the technical control whose proof the prehistoric sculptors but also by the quality of works made, is made anatomical details, the power which emerges some, in particular thanks to the volumes intelligently emphasized by the play of the lights. The figures are very realistic, animalist or human. These last being very rare in paleolithic art, reinforcing the single side of the site. The plank presents a carved monumental art, but also a more discrete art in the form of engravings. The excavations highlighted a very important human occupation associated with this parietal art. The archaeological layers delivered important hearths to the foot of the sculptures as well as a rich material, composed of art on objects, ornaments, lamps, tools out of flint, tools on bone, wood of deer tribe and ivory. Dimensions of the plank, preserved on a score of meters, devotes a monumental art, seem-you it intended to impress and cause an emotional shock.

Studies in progress and restitution with the public

The parietal decoration is always under study, under the scientific department of Genevieve Pinçon: the decorated fragments are thoroughly raised each year for their connection, the wall of the Bourdois Shelter delivers after each countryside of new elements. The Rock-with-Wizard is closed with the public for reasons of conservation. However, a restitution with the public is under development in increased Réalité, the Rock-with-Wizard +. The project somewhat is different from the facsimile of Lascaux II (Montignac, the Dordogne), because it will not be a question of showing a copy with the identical one. Its opening is planned for spring 2008.

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