Abri Castanet, Prehistoric rock shelter in Sergeac, France
Abri Castanet is a prehistoric rock shelter in Sergeac featuring limestone engravings and paintings on its ceiling. The artwork sits directly above the remains of living spaces where early humans once lived and carried out their daily activities.
Archaeological work at the site began in the early 1900s and uncovered evidence of human occupation dating to around 35,000 years ago. The findings show that people lived in this region during one of the earliest known periods of human creative expression.
The shelter displays engravings of female bodies, geometric shapes, and animals that appear to have held meaning for the people who made them. These images reveal how early humans expressed ideas about themselves and the world around them.
The shelter is only accessible through guided tours organized by regional heritage groups that explain the site and its archaeological findings. It is important to check tour availability in advance since access to this protected location is limited.
Archaeologists discovered hundreds of pierced snail shells that were used as decorative items by the inhabitants. These objects show that people in this early period wore personal ornaments as part of their daily lives.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
