UNESCO World Heritage SiteUNESCO Heritage
France

La Chaire a Calvin

Magdalenian rock shelter and carved frieze, France

Location

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Historical Context

About

La Chaire a Calvin is a rock shelter near the village of Mouthiers-sur-Boëme in the Département of Charente, situated in the valley of the Gersac stream. The shelter is on a cliff which faces south east. The rock face of this rock-shelter has a sculpted frieze dated to the Magdalenian period; approximately 15000 years BP. This site was studied by Pierre David from 1924 onwards, who discovered the frieze in 1926. It was further studied by Bouvier in the 1960s.

Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Temporal Epochs

Historical Timeline

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Frieze creation

c. 15,000 BP

Saiga deposits

c. 16,000 BP

John Calvin preaching

1520

Pierre David begins study

1924

Frieze discovered

1926

Human molar found

1933

Bouvier study

1960s

Classification

Archaeological Features

Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site

category

Artistic and Decorative Features

ReliefsCave Paintings
category

Environmental and Natural Features

Rock SheltersModified Caves
Knowledge Base

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Reference

Details

Country

France

Coordinates

45.56° N, 0.12° E