This Secret Cave Could Change How We See Early Humans | Full Documentary | NOVA | PBS
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Step into the stunning cave that’s reshaping our understanding of prehistoric art.
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Deep in the gorges of southern France lies the Chauvet Cave, an archaeological treasure hidden from the world for millennia. Sealed by a rockfall 20,000 years ago, and rediscovered in 1994, it protects some of the world's oldest and best-preserved Stone Age art, including depictions of lions, mammoths, and rhinos that still vibrate with life. Join a team of scientists as they unlock the secret history of the cave, from giant bears that prowled through it to mysterious large fires that illuminated it. Watch as they uncover how these early humans created carefully planned compositions on the walls, upending our traditional understanding of art history and connecting us intimately to the dawn of human creativity.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
02:47 Discovery of the Chauvet Cave
10:30 The Formation of the Cave
15:05 Animal and Human Inhabitants of the Cave
27:16 Ancient Paintings and Markings in Chauvet Cave
49:07 Conclusion
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All rights reserved
This program was produced by GBH, which is solely responsible for its content.
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Chauvet cave, archaeology, anthropology, ancient humans, ancient art, cave paintings, the Stone Age, Prehistoric art, UNESCO World Heritage Site
#caveart #chauvetcave #stoneage
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Official website: https://to.pbs.org/3TI4m3L #novapbs
Deep in the gorges of southern France lies the Chauvet Cave, an archaeological treasure hidden from the world for millennia. Sealed by a rockfall 20,000 years ago, and rediscovered in 1994, it protects some of the world's oldest and best-preserved Stone Age art, including depictions of lions, mammoths, and rhinos that still vibrate with life. Join a team of scientists as they unlock the secret history of the cave, from giant bears that prowled through it to mysterious large fires that illuminated it. Watch as they uncover how these early humans created carefully planned compositions on the walls, upending our traditional understanding of art history and connecting us intimately to the dawn of human creativity.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
02:47 Discovery of the Chauvet Cave
10:30 The Formation of the Cave
15:05 Animal and Human Inhabitants of the Cave
27:16 Ancient Paintings and Markings in Chauvet Cave
49:07 Conclusion
© 2026 WGBH Educational Foundation
All rights reserved
This program was produced by GBH, which is solely responsible for its content.
This program is made possible by viewers like you. Support your local PBS station here: https://pbs.org/donate/
Enjoy full episodes of your favorite PBS shows anytime, anywhere with the free PBS app: https://to.pbs.org/2QbtzhR
📰 Stay up to date on the latest science discoveries, full episodes, articles, videos, and more by signing up for NOVA's newsletter here: https://to.pbs.org/4brCC7Y
🛍️ Shop official NOVA 50th anniversary merch: https://nova-shop.org/
Chauvet cave, archaeology, anthropology, ancient humans, ancient art, cave paintings, the Stone Age, Prehistoric art, UNESCO World Heritage Site
#caveart #chauvetcave #stoneage
Follow on social for more NOVA content
Twitter: https://twitter.com/novapbs
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/novapbs
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@novapbs
