Cave of Enlene, Prehistoric cave in Montesquieu-Avantès, France.
The Cave of Enlene is a prehistoric site in the Pyrenees foothills containing numerous engraved bones and stone plaquettes scattered throughout its underground passages. The cavern shows extensive artistic work from the Stone Age.
Late 19th century excavations uncovered occupation from the Magdalenian period, revealing hunting tools and portable artworks left behind by ancient inhabitants. This era marked a time when small groups seasonally lived in such caves.
The cave was home to seasonal inhabitants who carved detailed depictions of bison, bears, and geometric designs onto portable bone and stone objects that they used daily.
The cave remains closed to visitors for preservation and research purposes, protecting the delicate archaeological materials inside. You can view the site from outside, but entry into the underground passages is not permitted.
A narrow passage connects this cave to the nearby Les Trois-Frères cavern, forming an underground network where inhabitants used one for living and the other for ritual activities. Such dual-purpose cave systems were remarkable for the time.
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