Final answer:
The Cave of Lascaux was closed to the public primarily due to preservation of art history. The large number of visitors caused damage to the delicate environment of the cave, threatening the preservation of the cave paintings. To protect the artwork, a replica was created nearby, while the original cave was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and closed to the public.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Cave of Lascaux was closed to the public primarily due to
preservation of art history. The large number of visitors from 1940 to 1963 caused damage to the delicate environment of the cave, which threatened the preservation of the cave paintings. To protect the artwork, a replica called Lascaux II was created nearby, while the original cave was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and closed to the public.