Congratulations on seeing the caves. While I understand you could not see that many, the three you did see gave you a good taste of the full range of sites. Combarelles was originally a low cave that you would have seen crawling. No one sees it like that today, but you do get a good sense of the crawl moving through that cave. Great incised figures as well including the lion, one of my favorite images. Rouffignac gives you a good sense of being in one of the large underground caves like Niaux. I hadn't thought about it when I was there, but the train really does open the caves so everyone has a chance to experience the environment underground and see some good art to boot. The horses at Cap Blanc are simply stunning. They were painted when originally uncovered, but the archaeologist was not present. The workers sent him a telegram marveling at the painted horses they were uncovering. When he didn't respond, they kept digging and the painting was lost as it deteriorated in the open air without conservation. No record of what they might have looked like. Still, they are spectacular examples of prehistoric sculpture. You got to see three very nice sites.

posted by bill at 4:15 pm (EST) on Jul 22, 2008

You are welcome. I was student and later staff at UCSB, 1969 to 1990.

posted by bill at 2:13 pm (EST) on Apr 6, 2008

Yes, I did visit the clay bisons. I'm in the center of the photo. My wife is to the right as you look at the photograph with Robert Begouen next to her. Paul Bahn shot the photograph. It was an experience I had dreamed about since the first time I read about the bison. The invitation from Count Begouen to visit the cave was special in its own right. To actually be able to make the trip was an event beyond anything I expected. We were guests in 30 some odd caves on the trip, but this visit surpassed even Lascaux.

posted by bill at 1:01 am (EST) on Apr 5, 2008

Thanks for adding me to your list of interesting libraries! I've been offline for a bit, at least in terms of Library Thing (I actually had to get some work done after obsessively cataloging 1500 books...). Now I'm enjoying roaming through folks' libraries again. I'll enjoy looking through yours!
Lynn Bruner

posted by brynnlune at 5:33 pm (EST) on Mar 18, 2008

Hello,
Thanks for adding me to your list of 'Interesting libraries'. I'm delighted that you find it of use. I see that you have a good collection of Historical mysteries,which I will certainly have to have have a good look through for ideas.
All the best

posted by devenish at 3:28 am (EST) on Feb 6, 2008

Wonderful use of tags here, Sara. It encourages me to do more with my rather dry list of Historical Mysteries. We share quite a few books. I'm interested in your list of fantasies, fiction, and histories, also, since those are something I also read. I'll be checking on those!

Janice

posted by mcfitz at 1:27 pm (EST) on Feb 2, 2008

Love Cadfael!!! Every time I read them I want to go out and plant my own herb garden. Have them all in my fiction and other stuff library at jwelch. I recently acquired Seasons 1-3 of the TV show and have also enjoyed that. What other medieval murder series do you enjoy reading?

posted by elizabetta at 8:02 pm (EST) on Jan 30, 2008

Hi
I've enjoyed having a look through your library too! The copy of Hollister was a text for a paper I did at University. You've got some interesting looking medieval mysteries.

Elizabetta

posted by elizabetta at 11:15 pm (EST) on Jan 29, 2008