La Ferrassie

A major Palaeolithic rock shelter in Savignac-de-Miremont, Dordogne, France, where Neanderthal fossils were discovered between 1909 and 1921. Eight individuals were found intentionally buried at the site, including a man, a woman, children, an infant, and newborns, dating to approximately 50,000 years ago. The adult male La Ferrassie 1 preserves the largest and most complete Neanderthal skull ever found. One child's grave contained a skull covered by a limestone slab with markings on its underside, suggesting ritualistic behavior. The site provided key evidence for Neanderthal burial practices and is associated with Middle Palaeolithic Mousterian stone tools.