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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

Laborde, also known as Baume Vallée shelter, is a major prehistoric site on the left bank of the Ourzie River, a tributary of the Loire River, in Solignac-sur-Loire (Haute-Loire). Located at 870 metres above sea level in a medium mountain environment, it is 400 metres downstream of the Baume waterfall. This geological framework favoured its occupation by human groups during the Prehistory, especially for seasonal hunting stops.

Archaeological excavations, initiated by A. Laborde during the winter of 1963-1964, revealed five phases of Moustarian occupation (Medium Paleolithic), marked by temporary and short installations. From 1966 on, systematic campaigns, carried out in collaboration with A. Quinqueton until 1973, allowed the study of a lithic industry dominated by the Levallois method, with a pronounced facettage and a minority laminar flow. These elements suggest specialized activities, probably related to hunting.

The site was listed as historic monuments by order of 5 January 1989, thereby recognizing its heritage value. Subsequent studies, such as those published by Jean-Pierre Daugas and Jean-Paul Raynal (1977), have helped document its importance in the quaternary context of the Velay. The shelter illustrates the ways of life of Neanderthals in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, in a territory marked by natural resources exploited on a cyclical basis.

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