Scladina

Scladina is a karst cave in the Andenne hills with multiple chambers showing geological formations and archaeological layers spanning thousands of years. The cave extends deep underground with natural corridors and spaces that reveal how the rock has been shaped over time.

Excavations began in 1978 and revealed that humans occupied this location for more than 100,000 years. A major find in 1993 provided critical evidence about early human populations and how they adapted to their environment.

The site takes its name from the nearby village of Sclayn and has become a window into how prehistoric people actually lived and moved through these spaces. Visitors can observe how the layers and objects tell stories about the daily lives of ancient inhabitants.

The site is open on a regular schedule with guided tours available in several languages to help you understand what you are seeing. Wear sturdy shoes with good grip since parts of the underground path can be slippery and damp.

The remains discovered here belonged to a child and allowed scientists to analyze genes in a way that revealed direct connections to later European populations. This genetic link makes the site an unusual window into how early and modern humans are connected.