La Ferrassie, Prehistoric cave and archaeological site in Savignac-de-Miremont, France.
La Ferrassie is a rock shelter in the Vézère valley in Dordogne with two natural protected spaces formed by cliff walls. The site contains multiple layers from different prehistoric periods stacked over one another spanning thousands of years.
The site was systematically examined from 1896 onward, revealing remains of eight Neanderthals who died here around 70,000 years ago. The discoveries show that this valley was home to different human groups over an extremely long span of time.
The site reveals how different human groups adapted to living in this valley over tens of thousands of years through the tools they left behind. Each layer of discoveries tells a story about the skills and daily habits of these ancient peoples.
The site is accessible via marked paths in the surrounding area, and it is helpful to wear comfortable shoes for walking the trails. The best time to visit is during the warmer months when the paths are dry and conditions are pleasant.
One of the skeletons known as La Ferrassie 1 is considered one of the most complete skulls of this extinct human species and has been studied worldwide in research on human evolution. This specimen has helped scientists understand much about the physical features and age of these ancient inhabitants.
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