Grotte de Mandrin, Prehistoric cave in Malataverne, France.
Grotte de Mandrin is a prehistoric cave in southeastern France that opens into a rock face along a sloped hillside. The entrance portal measures approximately 12 meters across and sits at roughly 225 meters in elevation near Grenoble.
The cave has been studied archaeologically since 1991, revealing evidence of human habitation spanning at least 78,000 years. Research documents both Neanderthal and modern human occupation, with populations arriving in succession or possibly overlapping during this long period.
The cave takes its name from a local poacher from the 18th century, linking it to the region's past and daily life. This connection shows how the place reflects both ancient and more recent human activity in the area.
The cave is currently closed to visitors as intensive research work continues at the site. Those interested can view the location from outside and learn about ongoing studies through local information centers in the area.
Researchers identified 450 consecutive occupation layers by analyzing soot deposits left by ancient fires. This remarkable concentration shows that different human groups repeatedly returned to this location, revealing its importance as a gathering place across tens of thousands of years.
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