29.
( B ) Lascaux is famous for its cave paintings, found in a complex of caves in the Dordogne region of
southwestern France, because of their exceptional quality, size, sophistication and antiquity.
Estimated to be up to 20,000 years old, the paintings consist primarily of large animals, once native
to the region. Lascaux is located in the Vézère Valley where many other decorated caves have been
found since the beginning of the 20th century (for example, Les Combarelles and Font-de-Gaume in
1901, Bernifal in 1902). Lascaux is a complex cave with several areas. It was discovered on 12
September 1940 and given statutory historic monument protection in December of the same year. In
1979, the Lascaux cave were added to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list. Sections have been identified in the cave: the Great Hall of the Bulls, the Lateral Passage, the Shaft
of the Dead Man, the Chamber of Engravings, the Painted Gallery, and the Chamber of Felines. The
cave contains nearly 2,000 figures, which can be grouped into three main categories - animals, human
figures and abstract signs. Most of the major images have been painted onto the walls using mineral
pigments although some designs have also been incised into the stone.
Of the animals, there are 90 paintings of stags. Also represented are cattle, bison, felines, a bird, a
bear, a rhinoceros, and a human. Among the most famous images are four huge, black bullsin the Hall
of the Bulls. One of the bulls is 17 feet (5.2 m) long - the largest animal discovered so far in cave art.
6
Additionally, the bulls appear to be in motion. There are no images of reindeer, even though that was
the principal source of food for the artists. A painting referred to as 'The Crossed Bison' is often held
as an example of the skill of the Palaeolithic cave painters. The crossed hind legs show the ability to
use perspective.
Since the year 2000, Lascaux has been beset with a fungus, variously blamed on a new air
conditioning system that was installed in the caves, the use of high-powered lights, and the presence
of too many visitors. As of 2006, the situation became even graver - the cave saw the growth of black
mold. In January 2008, authorities closed the cave for three months, even to scientists and
preservationists. A single individual was allowed to enter the cave for 20 minutes once a week to
monitor climatic conditions.
~adapted from https://www.bradshawfoundation.com/lascaux/
【題組】29. Which of the following may NOT be found in Lascaux?
(A) Cats.
(B) A woman.
(C) Reindeer.
(D) Buffaloes.
非選
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