In June La Villa Méditerranée—Marseille’s ultra-contemporary edifice on the old harbor, will welcome a replica of the remarkable underwater prehistoric cave known as the Grotte Cosquer.
The Grotte Cosquer was discovered in 1985 by the professional diver Henri Cosquer in the coves known as the Calanques between Marseille and Cassis. He discovered the entrance to a gallery 37 meters below sea level. The Grotte, which counts around 500 works of rock art, is evidence of a long human occupation of as much as 30'000 years. On the walls, we can find drawings of horses, deer but also more surprisingly of penguins and seals. We can also find handmade drawings with kneaded clay marked with fingers and engravings with flints.
Thirty years after the revelation of the existence of the Grotte, the digital tools available today make possible a scientifically exact replica to give the general public access to a major world heritage site, while drawing attention to the urgent problem of global warming and to the phenomenon of rising sea levels. Indeed, this treasure of humanity has already suffered the consequences leading to significant damage in the cave.
Unlike other rock art centers, "Cosquer Méditerranée" is located in an urban area and installed in an existing building: the Villa Méditerranée near the MUCEM in the Marseille's famous old harbor the heart of city. Just like a dive, visitors will descend 122 feet in an elevator to embark in electrical autonomous vehicles for a 35 minute tour in semi-darkness with an audio guide to discover the cave including the replicas of the cave art. Afterwards, they can check out an interpretation center with 13 full-size models of the animal species found in the cave as well as an exhibition on the rising sea levels.
for more information :Grotte Cosquer