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Foissac cave heart modern science:
A place of memory. Nevertheless, research, the Foissac cave still fascinates scientists from the 21st century. Moreover,
Classified as a historic monument open to the public for over fifty years. Moreover, the Foissac cave is much more than a tourist site. Nevertheless, It is a high place of scientific research, where specialists in prehistory, old DNA and geophysics intersect. In addition, Currently, two major programs structure current research.
“The first, which I coordinate, is interested in the Neolithic in the Quercy. Furthermore, We re -examine the data of the excavations of Michel Rouzaud: objects, notebooks, photos … Therefore, everything is digitized and analyzed again”explains Vincent Ard, researcher at the CNRS. Therefore, In parallel, 3D modeling and geophysical prospecting are mobilized.
The second program, led by paleogenetician foissac cave heart modern science Mélanie Pruvost (CNRS), focuses on funeral practices and DNA study. Additionally, Therefore, The Link project brings together laboratories from Toulouse, Bordeaux and Inrap. “Each vestige – OS. pottery – is the subject of an in -depth analysis, in close connection with specialists,” adds Vincent Ard.
A unique. open but protected site – Foissac cave heart modern science
“We are probably the only sepulcral site open to the public in France, perhaps even in Europe”, underlines Sébastien du Fayet de la Tour, speleologist and manager. Here, visitors observe the vestiges in situ, where prehistorians found them. “It is almost a snapshot of the life of 4,500 years ago”observe Vincent Ard.
Since its discovery in the 1960s, the place has been managed by a non -profit company. “No dividends since 1973. All income has been used for cave, studies, employees,” insists Sébastien.
With 20,000 visitors per year, the model allows controlled attendance. “We foissac cave heart modern science are in a slightly forgotten corner of large tourist circuits”he adds. The excavations are done in small touches, often out of season. No trenches: methods range from photogrammetry to geophysical analyzes. Prospecting revealed magnetic anomalies, possible traces of Neolithic habitats. Scientists work directly on site, in laboratories installed in the cave.
Millennia of history and today transmission
The archaeological wealth of the cave is not limited to the Neolithic. The oldest traces go back to the Moustérien, around 200,000 years. There are also vestiges of the Upper Paleolithic-including paintings from parietal art discovered in 2006-as well as a network still under study. dated from the 8th century AD.
“We found careers, tools, iron pebbles, a fire, and a child’s burial. It is an unknown page in the history of the site that we had ignored until the 1960s”. says Sébastien.
For this speleologist who has become an foissac cave heart modern science operator, work in Foissac goes beyond simple tourism management. “I have been there since 2000. I am only a link, but I try to remain faithful to the philosophy of discoverers.”
A vision of the place which combines scientific rigor, reception of the public and environmental ethics. With this in mind, a monographic scientific work is in preparation. He will update the data from the first excavations, in the light of current research.
The latter have recently been the subject of a shooting for a report in Grande Format. on France 5, with a focus on DNA samples taken in the cave. A project that meets this exceptional cavity, at the crossroads of human memory and scientific progress.
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