News and Events

The 2009 Cave Art Tour-France with Don Johanson

The internationally respected Institute of Human Origins announces a Don Johanson’s Cave Art Tour to southwest France, June 1-10, 2009. The tour will be led by Don Johanson celebrated for his 1974 discovery of the famous 3.2 million-year-old skeleton popularly known as LUCY. Archaeologist Roy Larick will offer stimulating insights into the art and archaeology of the region through a series of discussions and lectures. The Cave Art Tour will commence in Bordeaux, France with lectures and a tour of the Musée d’Aquitaine. Then the tour moves to Les Eyzies where for the next seven days the group will visit important cave art sites such as Lascaux II, La Mouthe, and Pech Merle, as well as medieval towns and castles.The provocative Paleolithic art combine with the serenity of the Périgord, its stunning landscape, rewarding wines and incomparable cuisine all provide for an unforgettable experience.

This trip is terrific for all ages; all caves and geological areas are accessible.

Itinerary

Commence in Bordeaux with ancient evidence from museum and laboratory. Migration to the Périgord to enjoy great cuisine and personally visit some of Europe’s most revered Paleolithic art sites.
June 1 -(Evening) • Tour introduction • Welcome dinner.
June 2 - Musée d’Aquitaine: Bordeaux: portable art • l’Université de Bordeaux: Neandertal skulls
June 3 - Domme Bastide: 13th c. market new town • Chateau de Beynac: 12th c. medieval fortress
June 4 - Musée National de Préhistoire: totally new • Abri Pataud rockshelter: currently in excavation
June 5 - Font-de-Gaume cave: polychrome images • Cap-Blanc rockshelter: with monumental sculpture
June 6 - Les Combarelles cave: thousands of engravings • La Mouthe cave: first discovered in the region
June 7 - Rouffignac cave: 153 mammoths, 10 rhinos • Lascaux II cave replica: the only way to see it • Le Thot: Paleolithic Art park and Ice Age zoo
June 8 - Pech-Merle cave: the famous Spotted Horses • Ste. Marie church-abbey: Byzantine Romanesque • Cougnac cave: wounded men and avian symbols
June 9 - Vieux Sarlat: market town in Renaissance style • La Roc-Saint Christophe: troglodyte rockshelter
June 10 - Teyjat Cave• Bordeaux overnight; Departure.

Important Dates

March 1, 2009- Deadline for Deposit
May 1, 2009- Deadline for Total Payment
June 1-10, 2009- Trip Dates

Total Cost- $7000 (not including airfare)

Sign-Up forms are available from IHO:

Institute of Human Origins
ASU
Box 874101
Tempe, AZ-85287-4101
Phone: 480-727-6580
iho@asu.edu

Tour Brochure (PDF)