Landes: Brassemouy, mammoth ivory cut

Jean-Yves Dumay brings back this testimony of the Landes.

Small village of the Chalosse in the Landes department, east southeast of Dax. Having a beautiful church, like so many small villages, he could have remained anonymous, if in 1890 archaeological excavations had not brought up to date prehistoric remains, including the "Lady of Brassempouy" or "Hood lady" now known worldwide.

This fine and beautiful reproduction, dated from about 21,000 to 25,000 years B.C.E., is the oldest representation of a face known in the world, carved in mammoth ivory, it is 3.65 cm tall.

If you pass nearby, a museum allows you to discover the results of the excavations and a archeo-park animated workshops introduce you to the techniques of paleolithic (size of flint, make fire with flint, sagay shot at the thruster..)