Grotte de Pra l'Étang

After the entrance, where you have to stoop, the ceiling becomes higher.

Speleothems are visible: small draperies, stalagmites and stalactites. The “Polis d'Ours” are particularly visible on the large stalagmite at the back and on certain pillars.

Progression is easy and safe with good lighting.

Depending on the advances or retreats of the glaciers, the Grotte de Pré l'Étang was occupied alternately by cave bears, Ursus spelaeus, between 120,000 years and 20,000 years before present (BP) and by Neanderthal Man between 250,000 and 46,000 years BP.

Handaxes were found at the entrance of the Grotto, attesting to a temporary camp of Mousterian hunter-gatherers.

The particularity of Pré l'Étang is the presence of “Polis d'Ours”: the bears of course did not have light; in order to guide themselves in the Grotto, they rubbed against the walls, thus wearing away the rock at the level of their bodies at around 1 m 20 to 1 m 30 in height.

Nearly 750 individuals could be counted in this Grotto.

It does not appear that Ursus spelaeus served as game for Neanderthal.

Reminder: excavations are reserved for authorized professionals and specialists.

Source: FMarmotte5, “Grotte de Pra l'Etang, les Coulmes Vercors”, 14 October 2014: http://le-blog-de-pierre-fassbind.over-blog.com/2014/10/Grotte-de-pra-l-Etang-les-coulmes-vercors.html