Les Eyzies de Tayac Sireuil

A trip to Les Eyzies today - the weather's been a bit poor so we've been cultural! Lunch, a walk around the town and a tour of the Musée National de Préhistoire.

Les Eyzies became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979 due to the importance of several archaeological sites, such as the Font de Gaume and Lascaux. These caves contain examples of prehistoric cave paintings estimated to be up to 17000 years old.

In the mid 1800's five skeletons were discovered in the Cro-Magnon rock shelter at Les Eyzies. These are the earliest known examples of Homo Sapiens Sapiens (early modern humans) - the skulls are much rounder and more modern looking than the earlier Neanderthal.

This chap (the stone carving not the one in the white t-shirt behind him) stands proud, overlooking Les Eyzies.