Plant residue

The excellent preservation of the floors of the Chauvet cave enables numerous and varied residues and fossil traces of plants to be observed: pollen, charcoal and imprints of plant remains and branches in the clay or calcite formations. Samples have been taken from the collapsed section in the Hillaire Chamber. Studying these has enabled the identification of trees (Pinus, Juniperus, Betula and Salix), shrubs (Poaceae and Asteraceae), plants of the steppes and a few ferns. This makes it possible to reconstruct a very open landscape during the period of human occupation of the cave.