Sous-le-Roc

Perforated and ocre-reddened Trivia sp. shell from Sous-le-Roc
(Credit: Randall White)
Archaeological level beneath roof-collapse blocks at Sous-le-Roc
(Credit: Romain Mensan)

The collapsed rockshelter of Sous-le-Roc was first excavated by Denis Peyrony in 1910. The re-exploration of this site by Randall White‘s team in 2016 has demonstrated the presence of a Protoaurignacian level (ca’ 40 000 BP (cal.), a cultural period that is rare, if not absent, in other Vézère Valley sites. This site was extremely difficult and dangerous to excavate given that the layers are sealed by a massive collapse of the adjoining cliff face, with some blocks the size of a half-ton truck. It is White’s intention to lead new long-term excavation at Sous-le-Roc beginning in 2018.