description Cro-Magnon Rock Shelter Overview
The Cro-Magnon Rock Shelter is an archaeological and paleontological site located in Les Eyzies, within the Dordogne region of southwestern France. Excavated in 1868, the site yielded the fossilized remains of five early modern human skeletons alongside artifacts from the Upper Paleolithic Aurignacian culture. These findings provided the first anatomical evidence of early Homo sapiens in Europe and established the term "Cro-Magnon" for these early populations. The shelter is part of a wider network of prehistoric cave sites in the Vézère Valley.
help Cro-Magnon Rock Shelter FAQ
Where is the Cro-Magnon Rock Shelter located?
The rock shelter is located in Les Eyzies, within the Dordogne region of southwestern France. This specific area is world-renowned for its high concentration of Paleolithic archaeological sites.
What was discovered at the Cro-Magnon Rock Shelter?
Excavations in 1868 uncovered the fossilized remains of five early modern human skeletons. The site also yielded a variety of stone tools and artifacts dating back to the Upper Paleolithic period.
How did the Cro-Magnon Rock Shelter get its name?
The site is named after a local French term for the specific rock shelter or shallow cave in Les Eyzies. The discovery of the five skeletons here in 1868 eventually led scientists to use the term "Cro-Magnon" to describe early modern humans in Europe.
Why is the Cro-Magnon Rock Shelter important to archaeology?
The 1868 excavation provided some of the first widely studied fossil evidence of early modern humans in Europe. The artifacts and remains found here gave researchers their foundational understanding of Upper Paleolithic human life.
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