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Stepping-Stones: A Journey through the Ice Age Caves of the Dordogne Paperback – September 11, 2012

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 138 ratings
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An awe-inspiring study of the enduring power of Paleolithic art

The cave art of France’s Dordogne region is world-famous for the mythology and beauty of its remarkable drawings and paintings. These ancient images of lively bison, horses, and mammoths, as well as symbols of all kinds, are fascinating touchstones in the development of human culture, demonstrating how far humankind has come and reminding us of the ties that bind us across the ages.

Over more than twenty-five years of teaching and research, Christine Desdemaines-Hugon has become an unrivaled expert in the cave art and artists of the Dordogne region. In her new book she combines her expertise in both art and archaeology to convey an intimate understanding of the “cave experience.” Her keen insights communicate not only the incomparable artistic value of these works but also the near-spiritual impact of viewing them for oneself.

Focusing on five fascinating sites, including the famed Font de Gaume and others that still remain open to the public, Stepping-Stones reveals striking similarities between art forms of the Paleolithic and works of modern artists and gives us a unique pathway toward understanding the culture of the Dordogne Paleolithic peoples and how it still touches our lives today.

Previous page
  1. Print length
    272 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Yale University Press
  4. Publication date
    September 11, 2012
  5. Dimensions
    6.1 x 0.6 x 9.1 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0300188021
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0300188028
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Desdemaines-Hugon takes readers on a fascinating journey through the ice caves of the Dordogne. . . . Her vivid descriptions help readers visualize the Cro-­Magnon man or woman painting the beautiful bison, horses, mammoths, and other symbols. [A] fine reading experience."—Library Journal




"The next best thing to actually seeing the prehistoric cave art of southern France’s Dordogne region is reading about it, as lovingly and meticulously described by Christine Desdemaines-Hugon in Stepping-Stones. . . a rapturous guide through five major Ice Age sites, each open to the public, and each with its own magical beauty."—Peter A. Young, Archaeology



“Dedemaines-Hugon speaks with enthusiasm and a love for the culture and its artwork.”―Brian Skinner, Yale University





“Dedemaines-Hugon speaks with enthusiasm and a love for the culture and its artwork.”―Brian Skinner, Yale University

-- Brian Skinner

About the Author

Christine Desdemaines-Hugon is an eminent scholar of prehistoric anthropology and cave art of the Dordogne region of France. She lives in Campagne, France.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Yale University Press; 1st edition (September 11, 2012)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0300188021
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0300188028
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.1 x 0.6 x 9.1 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 138 ratings

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Christine Desdemaines-Hugon

Christine Desdemaines-Hugon

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
138 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

J. Baiden
5.0 out of 5 stars Stepping Back Into the Ice Age
Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2023
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Extremely well documented and clearly presented, a wealth of information is eye-opening for those who might have underestimated the importance and contributions of our Ice Age ancestors.
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Stella Mather
4.0 out of 5 stars If you can’t visit prehistoric caves yourself, this author takes you close
Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2019
Verified Purchase
I have been lucky enough to visit the caves discussed in this book, and it was eye-opening to read the artistic and historical evidence here that was in so much more detail than the guide could provide on the hour tour. And only 80 people a day can hope to hear and see inside the cave .

The author has a unique perspective on these sites, the age of their art, why they crawled into these dark, small passages, and drew pictures that come as alive as animation in flickering LED light. The latest debates about our human predecessors and their skills are discussed in full (and you can skip the scholarship) but what remains is the story of how important exploring, searching, imagining, and mapping our environment began long before we became “civiized.”
7 people found this helpful
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lauriecacao
5.0 out of 5 stars Notably unbiased introduction to a lost world.
Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2013
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The author does an excellent job of conveying a sense of several particular caves in France, their art and the fascination it can hold. All without creating fiction. With this as an introduction, one will have a real framework in which to incorporate more narrow and fact-list types of work on the subject.

Even more significantly, Desdemaines-Hugon is insightful and profound without projecting personal or cultural interpretations on the imagery or it's location (inside caves). Throughout the book, while questions and reflections flow, interpretations are notably absent. She consistently demonstrates a method of experiencing the place and the art with unassuming openess. Then in the last 3 pages she makes a concise and well supported statement, concluding, "What moves us today, whether for aesthetic or mystical reasons also touched these Paleolithic artists...Stylistic conventions, techniques, cultural motivations may vary over time, but . . . Beauty is spiritual." Some may disagree with that statement on the surface, but keep in mind I jumped from the middle to the end of 3 important pages. I recommend reading this book just for the broader implications of that idea and its fleshed out argument, as well as to enable one to avoid approaching Paleolithic art without a conceptual box in hand, looking for pieces that fit.
12 people found this helpful
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jrc griffin
3.0 out of 5 stars Tough subject, good book
Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2012
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This must be a very difficult subject to write a book about because after several tries I haven't found one yet that hasn't been, as another reviewer said, overwhelmingly "dry or New Age". Having said that I think this is the best yet for someone like me who doesn't have an academic background in the field. It is certainly well written and eminently readable for the layman as an overview of the subject, but In the end it is disappointing.

The real question the reader wants answered is "why" and, apparently so far, that answer is simply unknown. But that doesn't stop other authors from profoundly speculating.

Thankfully this book does not focus on that type of guessing game. Ms. Desdemaines-Hugon does a very good job of sticking to what it is and not why it is.

The problem however, it seems to me, based on what is actually known this is a subject for a book of illustrations, not page after page after page of text. If you haven't seen at least a copy the painting a glowing description of the "Mona Lisa", no matter how accurate, is a rather useless and frustrating experience. I found myself simultaneously ( and for the most part unsuccessfully ) searching other sources for some visual confirmation of the authors rapturous opinions.

Bottom line, good but not great.
43 people found this helpful
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ds
5.0 out of 5 stars Brings the art to life
Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2013
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I bought this book as a companion to a recent (September 2013) visit to the Dordogne region. I knew about "cave art" but I did not know much more than the very basics. After reading this book I knew a whole lot more. In addition to describing the major caves in Les Eysies/Vezere Valley and the prehistorical/cultural context for the cave art, this book helped me appreciate the complexity of expression and "humanity" of the art in a quite modern sense. On a practical level, the book helped me plan a very nice two-day itinerary in Les Eysies/Vezere Valley. A big plus, when we toured the Font-de-Gaume cave our guide spoke no English - and I speak nearly no French - but since I had just re-read that chapter I was actually able to follow the guide's descriptions well enough.

For what it's worth, this book is one of the few English language books that is on sale in *all* of the museum shops in the region.

And, for anyone thinking of visiting the region it is absolutely awesome to stand in places with 50,000 years or more of human history under foot.
15 people found this helpful
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Laura FitzSimmons
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant accessible narrative about complex topics
Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2010
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I was heading back to the caves in the Dordogne for a second look and someone suggested this book to me. I ordered it, thinking in the back of my mind that it in spite of my best intentions it would likely remain unread in the bookshelf because most books about rock art are either excruciatingly dry or dippy New Age. This book is neither. I read it bit by bit over about a week. The author has such a deep understanding and length of exposure to these treasures that she was able to create a real page turner. Her explanation of the context in which these works of art were created, and of the evoultion of our species, is a very valuable source.
I could not recommend this book more highly and have ordered copies to give friends and family members who may never be able to experience these wonders first hand. This book is the next best thing.
62 people found this helpful
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Jim B.
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and Informative
Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2013
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I purchased this book in preparation for a trip to the Dordogne region of France. The book was well written and informative. The author's love for the subject and her in-depth knowledge come through. The book served as a great introduction and guide to the cave and portable pre-historic art of the region.
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Top reviews from other countries

MaryAnn
5.0 out of 5 stars A great introduction to the caves and I think will help ...
Reviewed in Canada on July 3, 2018
Verified Purchase
I am travelling to see the cave paintings and this book will be coming with me. A great introduction to the caves and I think will help my understanding of the art in the caves.
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Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and evocative
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 12, 2020
Verified Purchase
This is a beautiful book and I wish I could give it 5 stars but the Kindle version appears to be missing some images which is unfortunate. The writing is so eloquent and the attention to detail of the author is palpable. You feel like you're standing next to her in the caves as she describes the incredible artwork. If you're at all interested in prehistoric art then this is a must-read.
2 people found this helpful
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Jann LaValley
4.0 out of 5 stars I have been very pleased with what I have seen so far.
Reviewed in Canada on October 10, 2019
Verified Purchase
I haven't had the opportunity to read much of this book but as I have looked at various maps and images I have been very pleased. I had worried that as an e-book I would only get the text so I am pleased that this isn't so.
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Ron Peters
1.0 out of 5 stars Not worth buying as a kindle
Reviewed in Canada on February 8, 2022
Verified Purchase
I didn't start reading this until the return window had closed. This is a book about cave art, and none of the color figures are included in the kindle version, so you don't get to see any of it! I'm very sorry I didn't notice this until it was too late. It makes the book more or less pointless.
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