Stepping-stones : a journey through the Ice Age caves of the Dordogne /

Concentrating primarily on four decorated caves and one rock shelter, writer Desdemaines-Hugon, a scholar of prehistoric anthropology and cave art of the Dordogne, paints a verbal portrait of Ice Age cave art. She considers polychrome paintings, bas-relief sculpture, finger tracings, and engravings and includes examples that are both realistic and abstract in character. The author also presents a representative selection of portable artwork and related artifacts from different cultural periods across Europe. Highly descriptive in nature, Stepping-Stones is essentially a guided walking tour through these sites. Although Desdemaines-Hugon only minimally discusses the interpretation of Upper Paleolithic art and culture, she describes in considerable detail the caves and associated artwork. However, the detailed descriptions of the artwork, only a portion of which is actually illustrated, often read like a directory listing. General-interest readers may find wading through such an inventory somewhat tedious, while readers interested in a more in-depth discussion of cave art may be disappointed by the relatively scant coverage. Because the locations discussed are all open to the general public, this work nicely complements Paul Bahn's Cave Art (2007), which provides information about guided tours through publicly accessible decorated caves. Desdemaines-Hugon's unbridled enthusiasm for decorated caves is readily apparent. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower- and upper-division undergraduates. D. A. Brass independent scholar

Desdemaines-Hugon takes readers on a fascinating journey through the ice caves of the Dordogne region of France. An eminent scholar of prehistoric anthropology and cave art, she has studied these sites extensively for more than 25 years and often gives tours of the area to visitors. Here, she has chosen five of the valley's sites still open to the public. Her readers will come away hoping someday to visit them in person. She provides in-depth, step-by-step descriptions of each sight, describing the setting, artwork, and possible pigments and tools used. She also discusses the history of the site and the lifestyle and culture of the Paleolithic people who were its inhabitants. Her vivid descriptions help readers visualize the Cro--Magnon man or woman painting the beautiful bison, horses, mammoths, and other symbols. VERDICT This fine reading experience, with wonderful descriptions, photographs, charts, and sketches, will be especially enjoyed by students of Paleolithic anthropology and prehistoric art as well as newcomers to the subject.-Cynde Suite, Bartow Cty. P.L. Syst., Cartersville, GA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.