Grotte des Romains

Grotte des Ossements


Useful Information

Location:  
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Classification: SpeleologyKarst cave
Light: not necessary.
Dimension: L=26 m.
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History

1827 excavations by L.C.Houry.
1865-1869 excavations by L.Cloz.

Description

The Grotte des Romains (Cave of the Romans) is also called Grotte des Ossements (Bone Cave). It is a huge cave mouth with enormous sedimenary layers full of archaeological and palaeontological remains. This is not really a cave, it is only a shelter, which is 26 m deep.

The excavations in the 19th century revealed the remains of man, especially pottery, but also many animal bones. The findings included saber-toothed tiger (Machairodus), cave bear (Ursus spelaeus), hyena, rhinoceros, and mammoth. The back wall shows inscriptions, some from the 1827 excavation.

The cave has an extraordinary view on the Reculée du Dard, (valley of the river Dard), as it opens right in the axis of the valley. The valley is surrounded by vertical limestone cliffs like a Roman arena. The cave itself is not of much interest.