Construction period Néolithique (≈ 4100 av. J.-C.)
Main date of archaeological site.
26 avril 1993
Registration Historic Monument
Registration Historic Monument 26 avril 1993 (≈ 1993)
Official classification of the cave.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Grotto (Case D2,480): entry by order of 26 April 1993
Origin and history
The Camprafaud Cave, located in the commune of Ferrières-Poussarou in the department of Hérault (Occitanie region), is an archaeological site dating from the Neolithic period. This monument, inscribed in the inventory of Historic Monuments by decree of 26 April 1993, belongs to the category of prehistoric caves, a rare and fragile type of heritage. Its classification specifically concerns the cave itself, referenced under Cadastre D2,480, and indicates its importance for the understanding of lifestyles and human occupations during this pivotal period of prehistory.
The site is now owned by the commune of Ferrières-Poussarou, suggesting a local desire to preserve and enhance this heritage. Although the practical information about his visit or his accessibility is not detailed in the available sources, his approximate address, 980 Chemin de la Grotte, allows him to locate him in a rural area of the Hérault. The accuracy of its geographical location is estimated to be "passable" (note of 5/10), which may reflect the challenges of accurately identifying archaeological sites in sparsely urbanized areas. Its inscription in the title of Historic Monuments highlights its scientific and cultural interest, while protecting it against possible degradation.
Neolithic, a period associated with the Camprafaud cave, marks a major transition in human history, with the appearance of agriculture, sedentarization and new stone-cutting techniques. In the south of France, and particularly in Occitanie, this era saw the development of communities organized around local resources, using caves as shelters, storage places or ritual spaces. Although the specific details on the occupations of this cave are not specified in the sources, its ranking shows its potential role in the study of regional settlement dynamics and neolithic cultural practices.