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One reason for thinking the older cave paintings in France were “religious” and done by men is that they were frequently deep in the caves and hard to reach. They were not where the women were hanging out with the children, cooking, sewing, and sharing stories. Also, once the big hunts were done, the women had a lot more of the work to do, cutting, drying, curing and sewing skins, cooking, caring for kids, etc. The men just sat around making arrows and spear points, sleeping, telling stories, and inventing religions, until another hunt was needed.

So far as that boat is concerned, I see lines going from a mast to the front and back ends of the boat. This looks like what was done with the papyrus/reed boats that were used early on the Nile. It was necessary to pull up each end so it did not sag down into the water.

One reason for thinking the older cave paintings in France were “religious” and done by men is that they were frequently deep in the caves and hard to reach.

But that is most likely exactly where the women and children would be found, deep in the back of the cave, safe from predators and other human enemies. Plus, the temperature in the back of the caves stays fairly constant year round, and that would be very important during winter months when hunting for fuel for fires would be difficult and dangerous. Also during winter months, they would not be out gathering berries and plants for sustenance, they would be huddled in their warm dens awaiting the arrival of spring, taking care of the children, making clothes from animal hides and educating them and telling stories of good times to keep their spirits up. They would be taking care of the family, decorating their homes and waiting for the men to come home from work, i.e. the hunt, just as any modern woman would be doing today................

So far as that boat is concerned, I see lines going from a mast to the front and back ends of the boat. This looks like what was done with the papyrus/reed boats that were used early on the Nile. It was necessary to pull up each end so it did not sag down into the water.

The boat appears to have its sails furled, with only the lines from the mast to the bow, deck and stern showing. That would indicate that the 'artist' painted what he/she saw, a boat that was hauled up on shore landing, either for repairs or to take on food and water.

The sailors may have met the artist and their 'tribe' for trading purposes or may have been hostile enemies looking for slaves, we'll never know. The animals around the boat may indicate that they were looking for animals for food or trade to take back home.

Or it may have been another Noah's Ark story.................