Fontéchevade

#4891 among destinations in France

Prehistoric site

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Facts and practical information

Fontéchevade is a cave in Charente, France, which contains Palaeolithic remains from 200,000 and 120,000 years ago. The fossils consist of two skull fragments. Unlike Neanderthals and Homo sapiens of the time, the frontal skull fragment lacks any development of a brow ridge. This feature led French paleoanthropologists of the time to propose the "pre-sapiens" theory, in which the line to modern humans was said to have branched off before the appearance of the Neanderthals. Subsequent research has cast doubt on the importance of the Fontéchevade evidence. One of the fossils may be from an immature individual or from a period of time later than its surrounding deposits. The other does not preserve the brow area, but other aspects of its morphology are similar to those seen in Neanderthals. ()

Local name: Grotte de Fontéchevade Coordinates: 45°40'42"N, 0°28'44"E

Location

New AquitaineFrance

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Day trips

Fontéchevade – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Château de Montbron, Château de Marthon, Château de La Rochefoucauld, Église Saint-Cybard.

1.1 miSE
Forts and castles
Château de Montbron, Montbron
29 min walk • The Château de Montbron, known locally as the Vieux Château is the remains of a castle in the commune of Montbron in the Charente département of France.
4.8 miS
Forts and castles
Château de Marthon, Marthon
123 min walk • The Château de Marthon is a ruined castle in the commune of Marthon in the Charente département of France. Only the keep remains.
6.5 miNW
Forts and castles
Château de La Rochefoucauld, La Rochefoucauld
165 min walk • The castle of La Rochefoucauld located in La Rochefoucauld in Charente, is a renaissance castle built largely around 1520 on the site of a feudal fortress of the eleventh century whose towers have been preserved.
6.2 miNW
Church
Église Saint-Cybard, La Rochefoucauld
158 min walk • The Saint-Cybard church is a Catholic church located in La Rochefoucauld, in France.
1.3 miSE
Church
St. Maurice Church, Montbron
34 min walk • The Saint-Maurice church is a Catholic church located in Montbron, France.
1.9 miSE
45°40'3"N • 0°30'52"E
Château de Menet, Montbron
48 min walk • Forts and castles
1.7 miW
Tower
Donjon de la Chaise
44 min walk • The keep of La Chaise is located near the hamlet of "La Chaise", in the French commune of Vouthon in the Charente region of France.
6.1 miSE
Locality
Varaignes
156 min walk • One of the highlights of Varaignes is its stunning Chateau de Varaignes, a medieval castle that dates back to the 15th century. Visitors can explore the castle grounds, marvel at its impressive architecture, and learn about its fascinating history.
4 miSE
Locality
Eymouthiers
102 min walk • Eymouthiers is a haven for hikers, with an extensive network of scenic trails that wind through the verdant countryside. Whether you're a seasoned trekker or a casual stroller, you'll find plenty of opportunities to explore the stunning natural beauty of the area.