Secret stones: the exhibition that highlights the mythology of yesteryear at the Museum of Prehistory

Archaeology regularly brings exciting surprises, which make us rethink the way our ancestors lived. Recent discoveries made in the Fontainebleau national forest allow us to admire unique rock engravings, of which there is no equivalent in Europe!

These engraved stones are at the heart of the new exhibition of the Prehistory Museum of Île-de-France. From April 15 to December 30, 2023, come and visit the exhibition Secret Stones. Pre-Celtic Mythology in the Forest of Fontainebleau. This exhibition highlights a set of unpublished rock art, and seeks to unlock the secrets of these still mysterious carved stones ...

As early as the end of the 19th century, archaeologists found ancient engravings in the sandstone blocks of the Fontainebleau forest. It was only at the end of 2014 that some very special stones were discovered. Often hidden in inconspicuous cavities, small in size, these engravings passed under the radar of walkers and researchers alike. When they were finally uncovered, surprise!

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These very particular engravings are quite unique and original: we can see geometrical forms, characters with simplified shapes, animals and mystical creatures... Some of these engraved elements are totally new: these forms have never been seen elsewhere. These engravings thus seem to be typical of the region. The experts think that these engravings are linked to beliefs, mythological stories, but the secrets of these stones have not yet been really revealed.

The signs engraved on the stone are numerous and complex, but they were not placed to be easily seen by everyone: researchers therefore believe that the Bronze Age Men who lived there, nearly 3,000 years ago, had established unique and important rituals related to their deities.

The Museum of Prehistory of Île-de-France invites us to come and admire these fascinating stones, which could tell us more about the ancient inhabitants of the region. Let's go!