Discovered Under the Sea! The Secrets of Cosquer Cave in Marseille

Mr. Devotor

Dive beneath the Mediterranean Sea and explore the ancient mystery of Cosquer Cave, located near Cap Morgiou, Marseille, France. Discovered by diver Henri Cosquer in 1985, this incredible underwater cave holds over 500 pieces of prehistoric cave art dating back 19,000 to 30,000 years.  In this video, we’ll uncover:  The fascinating history of Cosquer Cave  The stunning Stone Age cave paintings and engravings  The challenges caused by rising sea levels  The creation of Cosquer Méditerranée, a replica experience in Marseille  Whether you're a fan of archaeology, ancient art, or natural wonders, this story of survival, art, and ocean mystery will leave you amazed.  👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more history and travel documentaries.  🔖 Hashtags: #CosquerCave #UnderwaterCave #PrehistoricArt #StoneAge #CapMorgiou #Marseille #CosquerMediterranee #AncientHistory #CavePaintings #Archaeology #HiddenWonders #FranceTravel #IceAgeArt

Transcript

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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