Le Bois-de-Riquet, Archaeological site in Lézignan-la-Cèbe, France.
Le Bois-de-Riquet is an archaeological site spread across a former basalt quarry with seven distinct dig locations showing layers from different time periods. Across the ground, you can see traces of ancient occupation with thousands of bones and stone tools scattered throughout the area.
The earliest findings at this place date back around 1.2 million years, showing that people were living in this area during the very distant past. Ongoing digs since 2009 have continuously added new knowledge about these early inhabitants and how they survived here.
The layers of this place tell the story of how people lived here over countless generations, from the simplest stone tools to more advanced ways of working with materials. Walking through, you can see how human skills and knowledge developed step by step across thousands of years.
The site is open to visitors, but having a guide makes it much easier to understand what you are looking at across the different dig areas. Before you go, check what sections are available and whether active digging is happening, as this can affect where you can walk.
Researchers have found fascinating evidence of how early people and large carnivores shared the same hunting grounds and competed for prey. The cut marks on bones tell the story of this ancient struggle for survival in ways that bones alone would not reveal.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
