[Duchess47]

I think the “paintings” represent important events in the life of the tribe or one of the members, much like the American Indians painted their tribe or personal history on animal skins or later, ledger books.

[knarf]

Yeah ... where people could see or "read" the story line

A thousand feet below the surface in the dark ?

MY guess is .... the damned thing was a prison and those are the scratchings of the desperate wanting OUT'A there ... on a swift steed

[BloodScarletMinnesota]

I think the “paintings” represent important events in the life of the tribe or one of the members, much like the American Indians painted their tribe or personal history on animal skins or later, ledger books.

It's fun to have fun, but I think your theory is more on the mark as to why these drawings were made so long ago.
Think of the extremely limited technology of the time for securing food and the time and effort expended.
Then the logistics and skills necessary in making a suitable fire for cooking and another for the cave artists.
It seems more likely that the artists of those times and their works were valued by the people of their time, and ours.