Raymonden, Prehistoric cave in Chancelade, France
Raymonden is a cave situated along the left bank of the Beauronne river with multiple layers of sediment and rock strata inside. The limestone chambers contain archaeological remains from different periods stacked one above another throughout the cave floor.
The site was discovered in 1876 during excavations that revealed stone tools and bone remains from Upper Paleolithic times. Evidence shows that people lived here roughly 14,000 years ago during the last ice age.
The site held deep meaning for prehistoric inhabitants who left behind stone tools and bone objects shaped by their hands. The carved animal images on the rock walls reflect how these people saw and understood the animals around them.
Access to the cave requires permission from local authorities who manage the site for archaeological purposes. Visitors should check conditions before arriving, as underground passages may have restrictions or limited visiting periods.
Railroad workers in the 1800s unknowingly extracted sediment from the cave to use as construction material, mixing up the archaeological layers. This accidental disturbance makes it challenging today to understand exactly where and when certain objects were deposited.
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