Musée de Terra Amata, Prehistoric archaeology museum in Nice, France
The Musée de Terra Amata is an archaeological museum in Nice that displays stone tools, animal bones, and reconstructions of prehistoric shelters. The collection documents human habitation at this site roughly 400,000 years ago through artifacts from multiple occupation phases.
The site became known worldwide when archaeologists discovered evidence of the earliest known human use of fire during their work here. This discovery fundamentally changed understanding of how people adapted to their environment in early times.
The site reveals how early inhabitants made their homes on beaches and hunted large game in the region. Visitors can observe how people organized daily activities in these temporary coastal settlements.
The museum is best visited during quieter months when you can explore the displays without crowds. The location sits directly on the waterfront and is easily walkable from nearby areas, though parking nearby is limited.
The museum sits directly above the original archaeological layers where artifacts were found, making it built on the actual occupation site. This means visitors stand where ancient people once camped and worked.
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