Cosquer Cave: Virtual exhibit of famed prehistoric site to open in Marseille


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A virtual exhibit of one of France’s most famous prehistoric sites the undersea Cosquer Cave is opening after concerns the main site could be lost to rising tides.

From today, visitors to the port city of Marseille will be able to see the Cosquer Mediterranee, a replica of the 30,000-year old site.

The visual and audio “experience” features copies of the prehistoric paintings that made the cave internationally famous.

The Cosquer Cave was discovered in 1985 by diver Henri Cosquer, in deep waters off the Marseille coastline.

Years in the making, the exhibit allows the public to explore the cave, of which only 20 per cent currently remains accessible on foot.

Officials say the cave's remaining dry areas are under threat of being flooded because of the effects of climate change.

The cave is notable for its distinct artworks, with Venus figurines and negative handprints among the artistic expression on its walls.

It is thought to have become inaccessible on foot some 9,000 years ago and "has remained untouched by human activity for around 20,000 years", according to Cosquer Mediterranee.

KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN MARITIME DISPUTE

2000: Israel withdraws from Lebanon after nearly 30 years without an officially demarcated border. The UN establishes the Blue Line to act as the frontier.

2007: Lebanon and Cyprus define their respective exclusive economic zones to facilitate oil and gas exploration. Israel uses this to define its EEZ with Cyprus

2011: Lebanon disputes Israeli-proposed line and submits documents to UN showing different EEZ. Cyprus offers to mediate without much progress.

2018: Lebanon signs first offshore oil and gas licencing deal with consortium of France’s Total, Italy’s Eni and Russia’s Novatek.

2018-2019: US seeks to mediate between Israel and Lebanon to prevent clashes over oil and gas resources.

Where to submit a sample

Volunteers of all ages can submit DNA samples at centres across Abu Dhabi, including: Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec), Biogenix Labs in Masdar City, NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City, NMC Royal Medical Centre, Abu Dhabi, NMC Royal Women's Hospital, Bareen International Hospital, Al Towayya in Al Ain, NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain

Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

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Updated: June 04, 2022, 10:22 AM`