Duruitoarea Defile, Geological monument near Duruitoarea village, Moldova
Duruitoarea Defile is a geological formation made of limestone that stretches along the left bank of the Ciuhur River. Its cliffs are marked by numerous caves and natural hollows that form the monument's distinctive structure.
Archaeological excavations in the 1950s uncovered evidence of human occupation from the Lower Paleolithic period, dating back tens of thousands of years. These findings document multiple phases of use by early people in distant prehistory.
The caves within the defile show traces of early human settlement that visitors can still observe today. These archaeological signs make the place a window into the distant past.
The site lies in a rural area and is accessible from the nearby village, but local guidance is often helpful for finding your way. Visitors should expect uneven ground and exposed areas, so sturdy footwear and careful footing are important.
The defile preserves fossils from more than 50 extinct mammal species, including woolly mammoths and ancient bison types. This rich fossil collection makes it a rare window into the ice age wildlife that once lived in this region.
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