The Cave of Forgotten Dreams

The Cave of Forgotten Dreams Film Guide

1. When and where was the cave discovered?
   1994, in Chaucer, France
   
2. Why was a door installed into the opening of the cave? So that the climate inside the cave would not be compromised.
   
3. Where were the red spots discovered and how were they made? In the front portion of the cave, and it was made by palm of a man's hand.
   
4. What was the first proof that the drawings were not forgeries?
   Stalagmites (calcium carbonate deposits) are growing on top of them.
   
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? They believe that the artist wanted to show movement. The artist may have wanted to show importance of that particular bison within the herd (alpha male).
   
6. What possible landmark was near the cave? An ice glacier that may have formed the natural arch.
   
7. Why did the filmmakers think that there might have been dancing in the cave? Fire embers and ashes (evidence of long ago "camp fires") found inside entrance. The camp fires cast shadows on the cave walls, inviting early man to dance. The dancing and shadows would have implied moving pictures on the walls.
   
8. What does the presence of bones indicate? Early man did not use the cave as a dwelling. It is plausible, they used the cave for ceremonies and drawings.
   
9. How did they know that one person created the red dots in different parts of the cave? The scientist determined the red dots were palm prints. By the size of the prints they concluded: that the artist was about 6 feet in height, and had a croaked little finger.
   
10. What animal is combined with a woman? A bison--a drawing of a woman's body with the head of a bison.
    
11. What was discovered in 2008?  What material was it created from?
    A "Venus figure" sculpted from a mammoth tusk.
    
12. What was most significant about this cave to you? The possibilities are endless. The cave is shrouded in mystery. It holds so many secrets from the past, that can reveal untold truths about human nature.