A 1930s tourist brochure for the Ariege featuring the two main attractions; the thermal spas and the Prehistoric cave paintings at Niaux.

In the winter and with snow on the ground outside, I took an atmospheric torch lit tour of the cave at Niaux. The purpose was to get a glimpse of rare Prehistoric cave paintings. One kilometre in, we all turned our torches off and stood in the pitch darkness. The guide demonstrated the unique acoustics of the cave room and then illuminated the drawings one by one.

Bison, horses (you can tell the breed!) ibex and deer.

The drawings on the wall are so sophisticated it made me wonder how the artists had produced the images. These images must have involved a great deal of looking at the subject. The artists had knowledge of the animals’ anatomy. They must have practiced drawing. They must have tried out the materials to see what they could do with them.

So, where and on what did the painters of the cave at Naiux do their preliminary sketches?

Photos: Sieveking (1979)

500g / 1lb Spelt flour
1 tsp salt
3 tbsp olive oil
15 g easy bake yeast
400 ml warm water — (35-40C)
1 tsp honey

Grease an oblong loaf tin. Preheat the oven to 180C, 370F
Mix flour, yeast and salt in a large bowl.
Rub in the oil.

Dissolve the honey in the warm water.
Add the honey water and mix for three minutes in using a wooden spoon, with the bowl in your lap.

Place the dough in the tin and cover with a tea towel, tent-like, allowing room for the dough to expand.
Leave to rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size.

Bake for 35 minutes and cool on a wire rack.

Very good toasted.

A quick way to make this is to use a food processor with a steal blade (or a dough hook, which I haven’t tried).

Where did this come from? : Abbie Norris