Lascaux Cave

In the vertical shaft of the Lascaux Cave, a mysterious and unique painting can be found, often called "the Shaft of the Dead Man." In this deep and difficult-to-access spot, you can see a human figure with a bird's head and a conspicuous erection. Next to this strange figure stands a wounded bison with its entrails protruding and a bird on a stick, adding to the mystery of this scene.

It is the only human depiction in all of Lascaux, and it is thought that this figure represents a shaman, hunter, or visionary connected to rituals, trance, or a spiritual world. The combination of the bird's head, the erection, and the fact that this figure is depicted in the shaft along with the animal and bird has led to numerous interpretations—from shamanistic rituals and hunting magic to symbols of life and death.

Pascal Brackman