The caves of Altamira and Lascaux form the most magnificent and awe-inspiring natural art galleries in the world. Their walls are covered with fascinating and colourful rock paintings made by early man, dating back to the Ice Age. But though the most famous, these are by no means the only examples of man’s first great artistic achievements.

          Starting with France, and in particular the Dordogne, Prof Kuhn surveys the rock paintings of the whole of Europe, from Scandinavia to Italy and from Ireland to Russia. Over 90 plates and numerous line drawings fully illustrate an absorbing text.