00:00Hidden deep, beneath the surface of the Mediterranean Sea, lies a secret that remained untouched
00:06for thousands of years, a prehistoric masterpiece frozen in time.
00:10Welcome to the incredible story of Khoskar Cave, a place where ancient humans left behind
00:16their art, their thoughts and their touch, nearly 30,000 years ago.
00:21In this video, we are taking you to on a fascinating journey beneath the sea, inside one of the
00:27world's most mysterious underwater cave, located near Cap-Margeau in Marseille, France.
00:33If you are into prehistoric cave art, stone-age painting or simply love history and adventure,
00:39you are in the right place.
00:41Khoskar Cave is located on the southern coast of France, near Cap-Margeau, a beautiful rocky
00:46peninsula in Marseille, but this is not your average cave, unlike Lascaux or Chavit Cave.
00:53This one is hidden underwater, more than 35 meters below sea level.
00:58Thousands of years ago, during the ice age, the sea levels were much lower.
01:03Back then, Khoskar Cave was high and dry, accessible to early humans who walked the nearby plains and
01:09coastal lines.
01:10But as the earth warmed and glacier melted, the ocean rose, submerging the cave entrance and
01:17hiding it from the world for millennia.
01:19In 1985, a professional diver named Henry Khoskar was exploring the rocky underwater cliffs of Cap-Margeau.
01:27During one of his dive, he noticed a narrow underwater tunnel leading into darkness.
01:33Curiosity got the better of him and he returned multiple times to explore it further.
01:38Eventually, he made it into a dry chamber above the waterline, filled with stale air and silence.
01:45But what he found inside was beyond imagination, prehistoric paintings and engravings, untouched by
01:52time.
01:53Khoskar reported his discovery officially in 1991, after three divers tragically died attempting to
02:00reach the site.
02:01Since then, the cave has been sealed off to a protected, and it's now known as one of the most
02:07remarkable archaeological finds in Europe.
02:10Khoskar cave contains over 500 images, including paintings, engravings, and hand stencils.
02:16These are estimated to be between 19,000 and 27,000 years old, created by early Cro-Magnon
02:23humans during the Upper Paleolithic period.
02:26The artwork includes horses, bison, ibex, steer, and even penguins, rare in prehistoric art,
02:33marine life, like seals and fish, reflecting the Khoskar's environment.
02:38Handprints made by blowing pigments over the hand.
02:41A type of negative hand stencils scenes in other caves like El Castillo in Spain.
02:47Geometric shapes and mysterious symbols that still puzzle researchers.
02:51The walls of Khoskar caves are a time capsule, offering us a glimpse into the Stone Age life,
02:57belief, and even the relationship between humans and animals.
03:01But here's the catch, nearly three-quarters of Khoskar cave is already underwater.
03:06Rising sea levels have damaged or destroyed many artworks, and with climate change accelerating,
03:13the rest of the cave is under threat.
03:15Archaeologists and conservationists are racing against time to document and preserve what remains.
03:22Advanced 3D scanning, photogrammetry, and even laser mappings are being used to record
03:27every detail of these fragile prehistoric treasures.
03:31Because the real cave is too dangerous and too fragile to visit, a life-sized replica called
03:37Khoskar Mediterranean was opened in 2022 in Marseille.
03:42This amazing digital and physical reconstruction lets visitors explore the cave art without diving deep underwater.
03:50Using virtual reality, soundscapes, and experts' storytelling, Khoskar Mediterranean brings prehistoric
03:57art to life right in the heart of the city.
03:59It's now one of the top tourist attractions in Marseille, attracting art lovers, historians,
04:05and curious travelers from around the world.
04:08What makes Khoskar cave truly special is its connection to both land and sea.
04:13It's the only known underwater prehistoric cave with such detailed wall art, showing us how stone
04:20age humans adapted to coastal life.
04:23It also proves that even 30,000 years ago, humans were thinking creatively, symbolically, and spiritually.
04:31These cave walls are more than art.
04:33They are messages from the past telling us about the earliest expressions of human and culture.
04:39So next time you think of prehistoric cave art, remember that some of the greatest
04:44masterpieces lie not in the dry caves, but deep beneath the sea.
04:48The Khoskar cave is not just a window into the past.
04:51It's a powerful reminder of how nature, art, and humanity have always been deeply connected.
04:57Thanks for diving into history with us.
04:59If you enjoyed this journey through time, don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more
05:05stories about ancient wonders, hidden places, and human history.
05:09Until next time, stay curious and keep exploring.
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