Musée de Préhistoire de Tautavel (Prehistory)

In 1971, the discovery of the  450,000 year old Man from Tautavel by Professor de Lumley provided the impetus to create a scientific and cultural centre which became the Tautavel European Centre of Prehistory. A large complex was built around the Man from Tautavel and the Caune de l’Arago site. The museum traces * human history in Europe and allows visitors to encounter the first Europeans.

In fact, the Man from Tautavel is a homo erectus who shares characteristics with the first Europeans. Although he hadn’t yet mastered the use of fire, he was an excellent hunter. One can imagine that he chose the Caune de l’Arago site, for its advantageous position that allowed him to dominate the valley, his fresh-water supply and his prey. With 149 human remains found, the most recent (in 2015) being  a tooth dating back 580,000 years, the Caune de l’Arago is one of the largest prehistory sites in the world that has the oldest human remains discovered in France.

The Tautavel Museum is as well known for its rich collections as it is for the unconventional activities and cultural events it offers throughout the year that allow visitors to gain a true sense of prehisotric life