The tools unearthed in
the immediate vicinity date from ACHEULEAN to polished stone. The
majority of tools discovered are, however, MOUSTERIEN. This small
selection of tools and the early signs of a primitive cave dwelling
are the only traces left by the these nomadic peoples.
Towards 5000BC a
NEOLITHIC population, attracted by the presence of water, settled
here transforming it into their religious site. They made
alterations to the cave, digging a 60m-long and 3m-wide passage
around the site. Today the passage is open to the sky but remains of
posts suggest that it was once roofed. Passages of this type date
from the MEGALITHIC era, (3500 to 2600BC) as do the DOLMENS and
MENHIRS on the west (Atlantic-facing) side.