Bruniquel Cave

Bruniquel Cave is an archaeological site near the town of Bruniquel in southwestern France, famous for mysterious stone circle structures built by Neanderthals around 176,500 years ago [1][2]. Located 336 metres from the cave entrance, the annular (ring) and accumulation (pile) structures were constructed from broken stalagmites, with traces of fire found nearby [1]. The discovery challenged previous assumptions about Neanderthal cognitive abilities, showing they were capable of building elaborate, purpose-built structures deep underground [2][3].