Mandrin cave, Limestone cave in Malataverne, France
Mandrin Cave is a limestone formation in Malataverne with a spacious entrance leading into chambers that reveal distinct layers of sediment and rock. The entrance area is now protected by modern structures designed to safeguard the original features and preserve evidence left behind over millennia.
The cave attracted human visitors intermittently over thousands of years, with archaeological evidence sometimes showing Neanderthal occupation and other times early modern human presence. Systematic excavations beginning in the 1990s documented and studied these distinct settlement phases.
Research teams discovered stone tools and soot marks on limestone walls, indicating frequent fire usage by Paleolithic inhabitants of the cave.
The site is made accessible through fencing and protective roofing, though interior access may be restricted to protect ongoing research activities. Visitors should check in advance whether the cave is open for visits, as excavation work happens regularly.
Genetic analysis of bone remains showed that the Neanderthals living here had distinct genetic markers setting them apart from other European populations. This discovery became crucial for understanding Neanderthal migration patterns and population movement across the continent.
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