THE MAGDALENIAN SANCTUARY OF THE CAVE OF LABASTIDE (HAUTES-PYRÉNÉES, FRANCE)

Summary. The parietal art in the cave of Labastide was discovered in 1932 by Norbert Casteret, the spelaeologist, but another 50 years were to pass before an exhaustive inventory was made of these figures, followed by their publication. The study of the parietal art has revealed a sanctuary with a predetermined layout in which the main panels were specially devoted to large figures representing a central Bison-Horse theme. The cave is also of interest because of the discovery of traces of 'Magdalenian IV' occupation (14,260 b.p.): about twenty small, engraved stone slabs display stylistic analogies with the parietal art, and are the best means of dating it.