These paintings, traced on the walls of a cave deep within the earth, are dated as part of the Paleolithic period. They are indicative of a hunting-gathering society. The figures were no doubt intended to be used as part of a religious ceremony or historical record. Some believe that the painter was trying to capture the animal's spirit through the representation.
Lascaux, in France, is significant in that these figures represent a basic human need to express something through visual art. The figures also show accurate representation of objects and a sophistication of line and color.