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Coordinates: 44°4′34″N 7°26′18″E / 44.07611°N 7.43833°E / 44.07611; 7.43833
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{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}}
[[Image:vallée.merveilles.JPG|thumbnail|right|Landscape of the Vallée des Merveilles seen from the Baisse de Valmasque]]
[[Image:vallée.merveilles.JPG|thumbnail|right|Landscape of the Vallée des Merveilles seen from the Baisse de Valmasque]]
The '''Vallée des Merveilles''', also known in Italian as the ''Valle delle Meraviglie'' ({{lang-en|Valley of Marvels}}), is a part of the [[Mercantour National Park]] in southern [[France]]. It holds the largest quantity of open-air [[Bronze Age]] [[petroglyph]]s in Europe, which is given special note for the area's inclusion for the [[European Diploma of Protected Areas]].<ref>{{cite journal |first=Francoise | last=Bauer | url=http://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/parks12_3.pdf#page=31 | title=The European Diploma of Protected Areas | journal=Parks | volume=12 | number=3 | year=2002 | publisher=The World Conservation Union | accessdate=2011-9-23}}</ref>
The '''Vallée des Merveilles''', also known in Italian as the ''Valle delle Meraviglie'' ({{langx|en|Valley of Marvels}}), is a part of the [[Mercantour National Park]] in southern [[France]]. It holds the largest quantity of open-air [[Bronze Age]] [[petroglyph]]s in Europe, after [[Val Camonica]] in Italy, and is given special note for the area's inclusion for the [[European Diploma of Protected Areas]].<ref>{{cite journal |first=Francoise | last=Bauer | url=http://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/parks12_3.pdf#page=31 | title=The European Diploma of Protected Areas | journal=Parks | volume=12 | number=3 | year=2002 | publisher=The World Conservation Union | access-date=2011-09-23}}</ref>


== Location ==
== Location ==

The valley is located in the rugged mountains of the [[Argentera (massif)|Argentera massif]] within the [[Maritime Alps]] north of the [[Italian Riviera]].<ref name="NYT"/>
The valley is located near the Italian border, in the rugged mountains of the [[Argentera (massif)|Argentera massif]] within the [[Maritime Alps]], between [[Saint-Martin-Vésubie]] and [[Tende]].


== Petroglyphs ==
== Petroglyphs ==
The petroglyphs (rock engravings), located on stone outcrops within the valley, were first identified by British amateur archaeologist [[Clarence Bicknell]] in 1881. Between 1897 and 1902, Bicknell copied and catalogued more than 10,000 drawings.
The [[petroglyph]]s (rock engravings), located on stone outcrops within the valley, were first identified by British amateur archaeologist [[Clarence Bicknell]] in 1881. Between 1897 and 1902, Bicknell copied and catalogued more than 10,000 drawings.


Beginning in 1967, an extensive study of the petroglyphs was begun by French archaeologist [[Henry de Lumley]]. De Lumley and a team of his postgraduate students classified the petroglyphs in the 40 km² area, with the greatest concentration in a 14 km² archaeological site on the slope of [[Mount Bégo]]. the engravings display objects like daggers, axes, and scythes. Suns, stars and spirals are represented. Ovals with criss-crossed lines may represent land or the earth. Some anthropomorphic figures have been found. The most common drawings are of horned animals.<ref name="NYT">{{cite news | title=Hiking a Valley of Marvels in France | first=Marcia | last=Lieberman | newspaper=New York Times | date=5 April 1992 | url=http://www.nytimes.com/1992/04/05/travel/hiking-a-valley-of-marvels-in-france.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm | accessdate=2011-9-23}}</ref>
Beginning in 1967, an extensive study of the petroglyphs was begun by French archaeologist [[Henry de Lumley]]. De Lumley and a team of his postgraduate students classified the petroglyphs in the 40&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> area, with the greatest concentration in a 14&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> archaeological site on the slope of [[Mount Bégo]]. the engravings display objects like daggers, axes, and scythes. Suns, stars and spirals are represented. Ovals with criss-crossed lines may represent land or the earth. Some anthropomorphic figures have been found. The most common drawings are of horned animals.<ref name="NYT">{{cite news | title=Hiking a Valley of Marvels in France | first=Marcia | last=Lieberman | newspaper=The New York Times | date=5 April 1992 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/04/05/travel/hiking-a-valley-of-marvels-in-france.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm | access-date=2011-09-23}}</ref>


[[Henry de Lumley]] has theorized the petroglyphs are the work of a Mediterranean bronze age people who worshipped the bull and for whom Mount Bégo was a sacred site.<ref>{{cite news | first=Stella | last=Hughes | title=Cave cult stirs passions of pre-historians | newspaper=Times Higher Education | url=http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?storyCode=102142&sectioncode=26 | date=7 Fevruary 1997}}</ref>
[[Henry de Lumley]] has theorized the petroglyphs are the work of a Mediterranean Bronze Age people who worshipped the bull and for whom Mount Bégo was a sacred site.<ref>{{cite news | first=Stella | last=Hughes | title=Cave cult stirs passions of pre-historians | newspaper=Times Higher Education | url=http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?storyCode=102142&sectioncode=26 | date=7 February 1997}}</ref>


The Musée des Merveilles at [[Tende]] houses numerous castings of the petroglyphs.
The [[Musée des Merveilles]] at Tende houses numerous castings of the petroglyphs.


{{Gallery|width=120|height=120|lines=2
{{Gallery|width=120|height=120|title=Examples of Petroglyphs at Vallée des Merveilles
|title=Examples of Petroglyphs at Vallée des Merveilles
|File:RocheDeLEclat2.jpg|"The rock with one burst"
|File:RocheDeLEclat2.jpg|"The rock with one burst"
|File:AraireValléeFontanalbe.jpg|A plough, two animals and a man
|File:AraireValléeFontanalbe.jpg|A plough, two animals and a man
Line 25: Line 26:


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


== External links==
== External links==
⚫
{{Commons category|Vallée des Merveilles}}
* {{en}} [http://www.ssfpa.se/pdf/2010/MontBegoA10.pdf Mount Bego prehistoric rock carvings by Nicoletta Bianchi]
* {{en}} [http://www.museedesmerveilles.com/ Official site of marvels museum from Tende]
* {{in lang|en}} [http://www.ssfpa.se/pdf/2010/MontBegoA10.pdf Mount Bego prehistoric rock carvings by Nicoletta Bianchi]
* {{in lang|en}} [http://www.museedesmerveilles.com/ Official site of marvels museum from Tende]
* {{fr}} [http://artslivres.com/ShowArticle.php?Id=59 Entretien avec la directrice du Musée des Merveilles]
* {{in lang|fr}} [http://artslivres.com/ShowArticle.php?Id=59 Entretien avec la directrice du Musée des Merveilles]
* {{fr}} [http://www.culture.gouv.fr/public/mistral/memoire_fr?ACTION=RETROUVER_TITLE&FIELD_1=INSEE&VALUE_1=06163&GRP=8&SPEC=9&SYN=1&IMLY=&MAX1=1&MAX2=1&MAX3=50&REQ=%28%2806163%29%20%3aINSEE%20%29&DOM=Tous&USRNAME=nobody&USRPWD=4%24%2534P Les sites et gravures de la vallée des Merveilles] sur le site officiel du [[Ministère de la Culture (France) |ministère français de la Culture]]
* {{Base Mérimée|PA00080881|Gravures rupestres de la vallée des Merveilles et de la région du Mont Bégo}}
* {{fr}} [http://www.cerimes.fr/le-catalogue/stele-pour-stele-dans-la-vallee-des-merveilles.html Stèle pour stèle dans la Vallée des Merveilles] Film en ligne de Robert Field, 1989, 12 minutes. Production SFRS/CERIMES.
* {{fr}} [http://www.cerimes.fr/le-catalogue/la-vallee-des-merveilles-les-gravures-rupestres-de-lage-du-bronze.html La Vallée des merveilles - Les gravures rupestres de l'âge du bronze] Film en ligne de Henry de Lumley, 1971, 21 minutes. Production SFRS/CERIMES.
* {{in lang|fr}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20120327082649/http://www.cerimes.fr/le-catalogue/stele-pour-stele-dans-la-vallee-des-merveilles.html Stèle pour stèle dans la Vallée des Merveilles] film by Robert Field, 1989, 12 minutes. Production [[Service du film de recherche scientifique|SFRS]]/[[CERIMES]].
* {{in lang|fr}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20120327082710/http://www.cerimes.fr/le-catalogue/la-vallee-des-merveilles-les-gravures-rupestres-de-lage-du-bronze.html La Vallée des merveilles – Les gravures rupestres de l'âge du bronze] film by Henry de Lumley, 1971, 21 minutes. Production [[Service du film de recherche scientifique|SFRS]]/[[CERIMES]].


{{coord|44|4|34|N|7|26|18|E|display=title}}
{{coord|44|4|34|N|7|26|18|E|display=title}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Vallee des merveilles}}
{{commonscat}}
⚫
[[Category:Landforms of Alpes-Maritimes]]

[[Category:Geography of France]]
[[Category:Mercantour National Park]]
⚫
[[Category:Alpes-Maritimes]]
[[Category:Rock art in France]]
[[Category:Rock art in France]]
[[Category:Petroglyphs]]
[[Category:Petroglyphs]]
[[Category:Landforms of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur]]

[[Category:Valleys of France]]
⚫
[[de:Vallée des Merveilles]]
[[Category:Bronze Age France]]
[[fr:Vallée des Merveilles]]
[[Category:Archaeology of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur]]
[[it:Valle delle Meraviglie]]
[[ru:Долина чудес]]

Latest revision as of 02:42, 30 October 2024

Landscape of the Vallée des Merveilles seen from the Baisse de Valmasque

The Vallée des Merveilles, also known in Italian as the Valle delle Meraviglie (English: Valley of Marvels), is a part of the Mercantour National Park in southern France. It holds the largest quantity of open-air Bronze Age petroglyphs in Europe, after Val Camonica in Italy, and is given special note for the area's inclusion for the European Diploma of Protected Areas.[1]

Location

[edit]

The valley is located near the Italian border, in the rugged mountains of the Argentera massif within the Maritime Alps, between Saint-Martin-Vésubie and Tende.

Petroglyphs

[edit]

The petroglyphs (rock engravings), located on stone outcrops within the valley, were first identified by British amateur archaeologist Clarence Bicknell in 1881. Between 1897 and 1902, Bicknell copied and catalogued more than 10,000 drawings.

Beginning in 1967, an extensive study of the petroglyphs was begun by French archaeologist Henry de Lumley. De Lumley and a team of his postgraduate students classified the petroglyphs in the 40 km2 area, with the greatest concentration in a 14 km2 archaeological site on the slope of Mount Bégo. the engravings display objects like daggers, axes, and scythes. Suns, stars and spirals are represented. Ovals with criss-crossed lines may represent land or the earth. Some anthropomorphic figures have been found. The most common drawings are of horned animals.[2]

Henry de Lumley has theorized the petroglyphs are the work of a Mediterranean Bronze Age people who worshipped the bull and for whom Mount Bégo was a sacred site.[3]

The Musée des Merveilles at Tende houses numerous castings of the petroglyphs.

Examples of Petroglyphs at Vallée des Merveilles
  • "The rock with one burst"
    "The rock with one burst"
  • A plough, two animals and a man
    A plough, two animals and a man
  • The chief of the tribe
    The chief of the tribe
  • Le Sorcier
    Le Sorcier
  • Le Christ
    Le Christ
  • Petroglyphs
    Petroglyphs

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Bauer, Francoise (2002). "The European Diploma of Protected Areas" (PDF). Parks. 12 (3). The World Conservation Union. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  2. ^ Lieberman, Marcia (5 April 1992). "Hiking a Valley of Marvels in France". The New York Times. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  3. ^ Hughes, Stella (7 February 1997). "Cave cult stirs passions of pre-historians". Times Higher Education.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Vallée des Merveilles.

44°4′34″N 7°26′18″E / 44.07611°N 7.43833°E / 44.07611; 7.43833

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