AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY EXPEDITIONS Decorated Caves of Spain and France May 25―June 4, 2017 With Paleoanthropologist Ian Tattersall At the Museum, the Anne and Bernard Spitzer Hall of Human Origins probes some of the deepest mysteries of humankind: where we come from, who we are. Delve into these questions, and examine the origins of human creativity, on this NEW itinerary, designed by Dr. Ian Tattersall exclusively for Patrons Circle Members. The Pyrenees and adjacent areas offer many astonishing—but almost entirely unheralded—examples of Ice Age art that offer unique windows into the lives, achievements, and sensibilities of our ancient forebears. Admire unusual and elegant bas-relief animal images in Basque caves, a profusion of hand prints at Gargas, and the famous panels of line-drawn and subtly shaded bison, horse, and ibex images at Niaux. The trip concludes with a visit to the newly opened Chauvet cave replica at Vallons- Pont d’Arc, which expertly re-creates the earliest, and perhaps most impressive, of the many masterpieces of Ice Age art. The sophisticated animal images in this beautiful cave amazed archaeologists when they were dated to some 35,000 years ago. HIGHLIGHTS WALK DEEP into the original decorated caves of Isturitz and Oxocelhaya, Niaux, Bédeilhac, and Gargas. STEP BACK IN TIME to behold the delightful animal images in Covalanas, and the incredible frieze in El Pendo. EXPERIENCE PREHISTORY at the newly opened replica of Chauvet cave; Ekainberri, an exact replica of the Ekain cave; and Arago, where “Tautavel Man,” some of Europe’s best preserved hominid remains, were found. IMAGINE AGES PAST as you explore the Parc de la Préhistoire, experiencing the prehistory of the region through its museum and reconstructions. DISCOVER CONTEMPORARY LIFE in Bilbao, a dynamic and complex city defined by its river and surrounded by mountains. RELAX AND UNWIND in beautifully appointed accommodations, thoughtfully designed with your comfort and convenience in mind. TRAVEL HASSLE-FREE throughout the trip a with professional tour manager who attends to every detail. ENJOY MEMBERSHIP in the Museum’s Patrons Circle and continue your exploration of the natural world, and humanity’s place in it, throughout the coming year. www.amnh.org/expeditions ● 800-462-8687 ● [email protected] Decorated Caves of Spain and France May 25 – June 4, 2017 Page 2 of 7 Leader Bio Ian Tattersall, American Museum of Natural History curator emeritus, is a renowned expert on physical anthropology and human evolution. He has lectured to acclaim on numerous expeditions to Spain, France, and throughout the world. Trained in geology as well as in archaeology and anthropology, his field research on living primates and his fossil collecting has taken him around the globe. Dr. Tattersall co-curated the Museum’s Spitzer Hall of Human Origins and has written many books on the origins of human creativity, including Masters of the Planet; Becoming Human: Evolution and Human Uniqueness; and the recently published The Strange Case of the Rickety Cossack, and Other Cautionary Tales from Human Evolution. Itinerary THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2017 HOME > BILBAO, SPAIN Depart home on independent flights to Bilbao, Spain. FRIDAY, MAY 26 BILBAO Transfer from the Bilbao airport to the Gran Hotel Domine, situated in the heart of this thriving city. This afternoon, admire both the architecture and the permanent collection of the spectacular Guggenheim Museum during a guided tour. Gather later at the hotel for a welcome drink and dinner. Overnight at the Gran Hotel Domine for two nights. SATURDAY, MAY 27 BILBAO > COVALANAS > RAMALES > EL PENDO > BILBAO After breakfast, drive to Covalanas cave with its extraordinary collection of animal images. After an independent lunch in nearby Ramales, continue to El Pendo cave and its nearly nine-meter-long panel of painted figures. Dinner is at leisure in Bilbao. SUNDAY, MAY 28 BILBAO > EKAINBERRI > SAN SEBASTIAN > AINHOA, FRANCE Check out of our hotel and head north towards France, stopping first at the Ekainberri replica and its famous panels of horses, the original dating from the Magdalenian period. Continue to the elegant Basque city of San Sebastian, situated on the Bay of Biscay. Enjoy a stroll through the town and savor an independent lunch before moving on to Ainhoa. Gather in the evening for dinner. Overnight at the Hotel Ithurria for two nights. MONDAY, MAY 29 AINHOA > ISTURITZ AND OXOCELHAYA > ESPELETTE > AINHOA This morning, visit the caves of Isturitz and Oxocelhaya with their bas-relief sculptures and concretions. Stop for an independent lunch in the small town of Espelette, famous for its cultivation of spicy red peppers, before returning to our hotel in Ainhoa. The balance of the day is at leisure. TUESDAY, MAY 30 AINHOA > GARGAS > TARASCON Check out of our hotel and drive to Gargas cave, one of the finest in the Pyrenees and known for its collection of more than 200 stenciled hand prints, many of which are mysteriously incomplete. After a group lunch in Gargas, drive to Le Manoir d'Agnes, a 200-year-old French chateau in Tarascon. Gather for dinner in the restaurant next to our hotel. Overnight at Le Manoir d’Agnes for three nights. WEDNESDAY, MAY 31 TARASCON > NIAUX > PARC DE LA PREHISTOIRE > TARASCON This morning, drive a short distance to the cave of Niaux, regarded as one of the most impressive in Europe for its Magdalenian wall paintings, most of which are found in its www.amnh.org/expeditions ● 800-462-8687 ● [email protected] Decorated Caves of Spain and France May 25 – June 4, 2017 Page 3 of 7 "Salon Noir," situated some 800 meters from the cave entrance. After a group lunch in the village of Niaux, visit the Parc de la Préhistoire for an overview of the area’s prehistory through its museum and numerous reconstructions. Dinner is at leisure. THURSDAY, JUNE 1 TARASCON > MAS D'AZIL > BÉDEILHAC > TARASCON After breakfast, visit the cave of Mas d'Azil, an ancient refuge for humans and animals including mammoth and rhinoceros. Replicas of exquisitely carved horses from Mas d'Azil may be viewed in the Spitzer Hall of Human Origins. Enjoy lunch together on our return journey before an afternoon visit to Bédeilhac cave, which has a vast entrance and was decorated by Magdalenian hunters. The evening is at leisure. FRIDAY, JUNE 2 TARASCON > ARAGO > TAUTAVEL > MONTPELLIER Check out of our hotel and drive to Arago cave, situated just outside the village of Tautavel and famous for the discovery of "Tautavel Man," some of the most significant hominid remains ever found in Europe. After an independent lunch and, time permitting, a quick tasting of the local wine, visit the small but impressive museum in Tautavel before driving on to Montpellier. Dinner this evening is at leisure. Overnight at the Hotel Pullman Montpellier Centre. SATURDAY, JUNE 3 MONTPELLIER > CHAUVET > LYON After checking out of our hotel, drive north to what may be the highlight of the journey: the recently opened and spectacular replica of Chauvet cave, including a reproduction of its famous, delicately shaded horses—also featured in the Spitzer Hall of Human Origins. Chauvet is one of the most famous decorated caves in the world and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. After an independent lunch in the village, drive to Lyon. Gather together for a farewell dinner this evening. Overnight at Le Royal Hotel Lyon. SUNDAY, JUNE 4 LYON > HOME Transfer this morning to the Lyon airport for flights home. What to Expect This is a relatively strenuous program and you must be in good physical condition to participate. Visits to caves and other archaeological sites necessitate unassisted walking and climbing without handrails, sometimes over steep and slippery terrain. Weather in Spain and France in late May is generally pleasant with average daytime temperatures ranging from the high 50s to 70s °F. Cave temperatures average 55 °F and humidity levels can reach 95 percent. Please note that no photography is allowed inside the caves. Rates Double Occupancy $8,995 per person Single Supplement $1,195 Rates are based on a minimum of 10 participants and a maximum of 20 participants. Participation requires current membership in the Patrons Circle at or above the Collector level per traveler household. Call 212-769-5153 for more details about the Patrons Circle membership or visit www.amnh.org/join-support. www.amnh.org/expeditions ● 800-462-8687 ● [email protected] Decorated Caves of Spain and France May 25 – June 4, 2017 Page 4 of 7 Included: + Hotel accommodations for 9 nights + 9 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 4 dinners, including house wine with lunches and dinners + Group arrival transfer on May 26 and group departure transfer on June 4 + All entrance fees to sites included in the itinerary + Transportation in a deluxe, air-conditioned motor coach, with bottled water provided + Professional, English-speaking tour manager/guide throughout + Local taxes and service charges + All gratuities to tour manager/guide, drivers, waiters, and porters + Handling of two pieces of checked luggage per person + Practical and cultural information, suggested reading guide, name badge, passport wallet, and luggage tags Not Included: + Airfare to Bilbao, Spain, and return airfare from Lyon, France + Passport and inoculation charges + All airport departure taxes + Cost of personal, trip cancellation, and baggage insurance + Transportation of excess baggage + Alcoholic beverages other than house wine served at included lunches and dinners + Taxi, telephone, and fax charges + Optional