Bruniquel rock shelters

The Bruniquel rock shelters are natural stone cavities built into cliffs above the Aveyron River that provided dwelling space for prehistoric people. The shelters contain different-sized chambers arranged along the rock face where inhabitants left traces of their presence.

Archaeological work at the site revealed that people lived in these rock shelters around 47,000 years ago during the Neanderthal period. The evidence shows continuous use of the location by different groups across many thousands of years.

The discovery of stone tools and portable artwork within the shelters shows how early humans developed their craftsmanship and creativity. These objects tell us about their daily life and ability to create and decorate.

A guided tour is the best way to explore this location since guides explain the archaeological findings and geological features of the site. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes because the paths to the shelters can be uneven and slippery.

Inside the shelters, carefully arranged limestone blocks weighing several hundred kilograms reveal that inhabitants deliberately positioned these stones. Such construction shows that people possessed advanced skills in planning and working together.