The Cool Cave of Lascaux: A Cross-Curricular Unit

Antoinette TobiaSummer 2010

Technology and Stories to Teach Curriculumpresented to: Professor Moone / MSET

Goals and Objectives The learner will be able to:• explain why cave paintings were created-

why they are significant.• draw parallels between prehistoric art and

art that is made today.• identify cave paintings (subjects, style,

materials).• create art based on the cave paintings.

Essential Questions

• Why did people who lived many years ago make art?

• Does art tell a story?• Does art communicate ideas?• Why do people who live today make art?

Unit Plan

• Students will be introduced to and explore the Lascaux Cave in France.

• These animal paintings are considered to be the beginning of art. They were created about 17,000 years ago.

Visit the Cave• Click here to visit Lascaux

Ask before viewing: • What animal images would you expect to see

at Lascaux?

• This Website is a virtual tour and very engaging.• Students are encouraged to make sketches of the

animals to be used in the art project.

Interesting Cave Facts• In 1940, 4 French teenagers accidentally

discovered the cave.• The cave contained more than 600 paintings and

1500 engravings that are carved into the walls.• The most popular animal is the horse, followed by

the bison.• “Lascaux” is pronounced Lasco!• The flute is the earliest known instrument, click

to hear a “bone” flute.

Storytelling

• First Painter by Kathryn Lasky:Click on the book to view Storytelling Chart II:

This fictional book is set in prehistoric times and imagines what inspired Mishoo, a young girl, to go to the cave and paint. The

book is based on archaeological findings and is beautifully illustrated. The paintings are symbolic and powerful.

“Cave Paintings and Rock Art”• Click on picture to view this website:

• This website details the cave painters and their lives.

• It discusses the colors and materials used in the cave paintings.

• The dangers of caves are cited.

Science and the Cave• In 1948, the Cave was open to daily tours for

thousands of people.• This created a huge problem for the Cave!• The breath of the tourists created carbon dioxide that

caused the paintings to deteriorate. • Another problem was carried in by the shoes of the

tourists - algae - that began to grow on the walls and cover the paintings.

• Calcite crystals also began to cover some of the paintings due to the high temperatures, humidity, and carbon dioxide levels caused by all of the tourists.

Lascaux II• In order to save Lascaux from destruction,

the Cave was closed to the public in 1963.• In 1983, Lascaux II was opened to the public

– technology re-created the original cave and artwork. It is nearby the original site.

• Today, only a small number of scientists and researchers are allowed to visit the original Lascaux Cave.

Dino Games• Did cave painters live with dinosaurs?• Movies and cartoons often show early humans

and dinosaurs living at the same time.• This is a myth (a popular belief that is false).• The dinosaurs were extinct, or no longer alive,

before people lived. The dinosaurs lived 65 million years before humans!