This international scientific meeting is being organized as part of the 30th anniversary of the discovery of Chauvet cave (1994-2024). It will take place from July 2 to July 4, 2025, at the conference center of the facsimile of Chauvet cave, in Vallon-Pont-d'Arc (Ardèche, France).

The meeting aims to promote interdisciplinary and integrated studies of prehistoric caves, encompassing a comprehensive definition of such environments.

Paleolithic hunter-gatherer communities not only transformed the subterranean environment (through activities such as creating cave art, establishing settlements, or using fire, etc.), but they were also shaped by it. They adapted their movements, their sensory perceptions (sight, hearing) and their spatial awareness to navigate this unique environments, characterized by the interactions it imposes -- both among humans and with animals, including large predators such as wolves and cave bears. Consequently, caves provide complex archaeological and paleontological records, where diverse agents interact and multiple temporal layers converge.

The discovery of Chauvet cave in 1994 (Ardèche, France) radically changed our understanding of Paleolithic art and reshaped our approach to decorated caves. The 30th anniversary of this discovery is therefore an opportunity to bring the scientific community together, fostering dialogue to exchange points of view and approaches in studying the prehistoric occupation of the subterranean world.

In the past few decades, significant theoretical and methodological advancements have emerged, driven by new discoveries and lively debate. We anticipate that this meeting will provide an opportunity to assess progress, stimulate reflection, explore new paradigms, and open up new avenues of research.

Contributions on the following topics are invited:

• Anthropisation of the Subterranean Environment;
• Technical Knowledge and Worldview through Rock Art;
  
• Paleoecology and anthropozoology;
  
• Caves as Memories of Past and Recent Changes;
  
• Chronology and Bio-Events in Underground Environments.
  

Presentation of new approaches and methodological developments are encouraged.

• Abstracts may be submitted from December 1, 2024, to February 15, 2025.
  
• Final acceptance will be notified to authors on March 1, 2025.
  
• Registration opens in early February.

• First circular (pdf)
• Second circular (pdf)