The discovery of the Cosquer cave
Let’s start at the beginning. In 1985, Henri Cosquer, an experienced scuba diver and underwater enthusiast, went diving in les Calanques, his vast playground. That day, he dived towards the cap of Morgiou, a place he was used to surveying . At a depth of 36 meters, a cavity dug into the rock wall caught his eye and he decided to explore it. This is the beginning of a great adventure for this man who will make a major discovery that will change his life. At the end of the immersed gallery, which is nearly 175 metrers long, he discovers a real treasure dating back 30,000 years: more than 480 works of art painted or engraved on the rock, penguins, deer, ibex, bison, as well as handprints and traces of a fireplace.
After several trips back and forth over a period of time, between 33,000 and 19,000 BC. The sea at that time was 120 meters below today’s level and the water was several kilometers away. The climate was cold and the landscape was not the same as today.
In 1991 the cave was authenticated and revealed to the general public. A year later it was classitfied as a historical monument. Since then it has been studied by historians and researchers. Unfortunately, with the rising waters, this cave is doomed to disappear, some of the paintings are already partially submerged. The need to bring this unique cave to the surface and share it with the world will become a priority. The cave is currently inaccessible and its entrance has been closed.