Period of main occupation Paléolithique moyen (≈ 1505000 av. J.-C.)
Sedimentary sequence of 13 meters studied.
Début du XIXe siècle
Site discovery
Site discovery Début du XIXe siècle (≈ 1904)
First mention of the prehistoric shelter.
18 juillet 1911
Historical monument classification
Historical monument classification 18 juillet 1911 (≈ 1911)
Official protection of deposit and shelter.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The deposit and shelter (cad. A 370-374, 415): Order of 18 July 1911
Key figures
François Bordes - Archaeologist
Studyed layers and discovered remains.
Origin and history
Combe-Grenal is a major prehistoric site located in the commune of Domme, Dordogne (New Aquitaine). Discovered in the early 19th century, it is located in a valley on the left bank of the Dordogne, east of the village. The deposit, classified as a historic monument on 18 July 1911, belongs to a private owner and is not accessible to the public. His sedimentary deposits, studied by François Bordes, form a sequence of more than 13 metres thick, divided into 64 layers reflecting 22 climatic phases.
The excavations revealed tools and human remains, including a Neanderthal tooth discovered in layer 60, belonging to a child. This tooth, analyzed later, confirms the presence of Neandertalians on the site. François Bordes carried out extensive archaeological research, highlighting the stratigraphic and paleoenvironmental importance of the deposit in understanding Middle Paleolithic in Europe.
Sedimentology and palynology reconstructed the climatic variations that influenced the human occupation of the site. Although closed to the visit, Combe-Grenal remains a reference for the study of lifestyles and technologies of prehistoric populations. Its classification in 1911 underlines its heritage value, while its geographical context, close to the Dordogne, makes it a key witness to human adaptations during this period.
