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The social construction of caves and rockshelters: Chauvet Cave (France) and Nawarla Gabarnmang (Australia)

2013; Cambridge University Press; Volume: 87; Issue: 335 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1017/s0003598x00048596

1745-1744

Jean‐Jacques Delannoy, Bruno David, Jean‐Michel Geneste, Margaret Katherine, Bryce Barker, Ray Whear, Robert Gunn,

Archaeology and Rock Art Studies

Caves and rockshelters are a key component of the archaeological record but are often regarded as natural places conveniently exploited by human communities. Archaeomorphological study shows however that they are not inert spaces but have frequently been modified by human action, sometimes in ways that imply a strong symbolic significance. In this paper the concept of ‘aménagement’, the re-shaping of a material space or of elements within it, is applied to Chauvet Cave in France and Nawarla Gabarnmang rockshelter in Australia. Deep within Chauvet Cave, fallen blocks were moved into position to augment the natural structure known as The Cactus, while at Nawarla Gabarnmang, blocks were removed from the ceiling and supporting pillars removed and discarded down the talus slope. These are hence not ‘natural’ places, but modified and socially constructed.