Period of occupancy Paléolithique supérieur (≈ 1505000 av. J.-C.)
Prehistoric site dated from that time.
26 février 1981
Historical Monument
Historical Monument 26 février 1981 (≈ 1981)
Registration by ministerial decree.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Cave Under the Grand Lac (cad. A 74): inscription by order of 26 February 1981
Origin and history
The cave called Under the Grand Lac is a prehistoric monument located in Meyrals, in the Dordogne department (New Aquitaine). This site dates back to the Upper Paleolithic, a period marked by human occupation and artistic or ritual activities in caves. Its inscription as a Historical Monument by order of 26 February 1981 bears witness to its archaeological and heritage importance.
The caves of the Upper Paleolithic, like that of Meyrals, were often places of life, shelter or symbolic practices for hunter-gatherers. In this region rich in prehistoric sites, these cavities provided a natural refuge and a space for the preservation of physical traces (tools, paintings, engravings). Their study makes it possible to better understand the lifestyles and cultures of prehistoric societies in Aquitaine, a key area for research in this era.
The location of the cave Under the Grand Lac, near the so-called 229 Grand Lac, is documented in the Mérimée base under the code Insee 24268, attached to the commune of Meyrals. Although GPS coordinates suggest an approximate address, the accuracy of its location is assessed as fair (note 5/10). This site, protected by the Historical Monuments, is part of the French archaeological heritage, but the practical information about its visit or access is not detailed in the available sources.
