The stone of Chaleux

The stone of Chaleux is the most famous artistic representation of Belgian fauna from the Upper Palaeolithic (Magdalenian).

Both sides of this slab of psammite (sandstone with mica) are engraved. One side shows a horse, with a standing ibex (or possibly another horse), and what is probably another caprid lying next to it. On the other side is a reindeer, partially superimposed over a walking aurochs.

This stone was found in 1865 in the Trou de Chaleux, in Hulsonniaux in the province of Namur, by the geologist Édouard Dupont, who was director of the Museum from 1868 to 1909.

Take a look at the Virtual Museum of the Paleolithic Art in Belgium.