Continuing with my theme of exploring local caves, David and I managed to locate some caves written about by a local archeologist. At the limit of the stone-age, neolithic man was busily trading in ochre from Roussillon and flint from the flint beds near Mont Ventoux. They carried the flint through the gorges that incise the Monts de Vaucluse and then worked them by heating and flaking them in flint factories in Murs and Roussillon.
The many caves to be found in the gorges were used as temporary shelters on the journey. Rudimentary signs were left by the passing occupants signaling the presence of water - by a red stripe. These symbols can still be seen. In this cave red stripes clearly indicate areas where water weeps from the rock face and also a sign denoting a deer.
Both these signs can be clearly identified in this beautiful cave near Les Bassacs.
How wonderful to have so much history on your doorstep, and history that goes back so far.
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