The Cave of Forgotten Dreams

The Cave of Forgotten Dreams Film Guide

1.   When and where was the cave discovered?
It was found in southern France in December 1994.

2.   Why was a door installed into the opening of the cave?
A door was installed to keep the temperature controlled.

3.   Where were the red spots discovered and how were they made?
The red spots were discovered in the first chamber of the cave and were made by the palm of a single man’s hand.

4.   What was the first proof that the drawings were not forgeries?
They were covered with calcite which takes many years to form.

5.   Why did the scientist believe that the artist created the bison with eight legs?  What other possible reason do you think that this might have been done?

The scientists believe that the artist created the bison with eight legs as a representation of movement. Another reason for this might be that there was another bison to the side of him.

6.   What possible landmark was near the cave?

The Ardeche river and the Pont dArc are both possible landmarks near the Cave of Forgotten Dreams.

7.   Why did the filmmakers think that there might have been dancing in the cave?

The filmmakers thought that there might have been dancing in the cave because of the shadows.

8.   What does the presence of bones indicate?

The presence of bones in the cave indicates that, while the humans of the time did not live in the cave, they may have eaten in it or trapped animals native to it inside to hunt and kill them.

9.   How did they know that one person created the red dots in different parts of the cave?

The scientists knew that one person created the red dots in different parts of the cave because the man who made the red dots in the first chamber has a crooked pinky finger which made it easier to identify him as the person who made the red dots in the last chamber as well.

10. What animal is combined with a woman?
A bison or bull head was combined with a woman’s lower body.

11. What was discovered in 2008?  What material was it created from?

12. What was most significant about this cave to you?

The most significant thing about the cave to me is that it contains so much knowledge and beauty. It is astonishing to know that so much history is hidden away so well in an unsuspected place.