Lascaux Cave Paintings

In September of 1940 four teenage boys and a dog went exploring through a cave in southwestern France near the village of Montignac. They discovered the walls covered with depictions of animals dating back 20,000 years ago.
 

Cave painting of a horse at Lascaux

“It's almost too beautiful,” said the first scientist to descend into the Lascaux caves.

By Prof saxx (Own work) [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Opened to the public in 1948. By 1955 the cave complex was receiving upwards of 1200 people per day. A buildup of destructive carbon dioxide prompted authorities to close the complex in 1963 to avoid further damage. Restoration efforts soon began followed by strict monitoring. In 1983 a replica was built nearby, Lascaux II.

Painting of the Giant Deer at  Lascaux via Wikimedia Commons

By 2008 condition’s worsened with a black mold forming on the walls. In March of ’08 the complex was shut down to everyone for 3 months. With the exception of only one person being allowed entry for 30 minutes once per week! 

 Restoration efforts are ongoing.

• Lascaux Cave Paintings | Bradshaw Foundation
• Lascaux | Wikipedia
• International Committee for the Preservation of Lascaux
• Scenes from the Stone Age: The Cave Paintings of Lascaux | Field Museum (On going exhibit through Sept. 2013).