Blogging every day means we often learn something new. And today, we certainly have! On 12 September 1940, four boys went searching for their dog which had fallen down a hole at Lascaux, in the Dordogne region of France. Not an enormously momentous moment in itself…. until they discovered the world-famous cave paintings.
The prehistoric paintings, around 16,000 years old, depict the animals hunted at that time including bears, bison, reindeer and bulls. The cave was opened to the public in 1948 and over a million people visited the site during the following years. The footfall took an inevitable toll on the site and precipitated moss and algae growth as well as deposition of white calcite on the walls.
Therefore, since 1963, the cave has been closed to all but a privileged few who are allowed limited access for the purposes of research. A replica cave was created nearby for the benefit of disappointed tourists.
Today in 1878, saw the erection of Cleopatra’s Needle on the Thames Embankment in London and in 1910, the world’s first policewoman was appointed to the Los Angeles Police Department. Quite a day in history….!
