Bruniquel Cave, southwestern France. A group of Neanderthals constructed two complexes of approximately 400 stalactite structures, carefully and precisely split and stacked one on top of the other. The article on this discovery was published in 2016. The site is located more than 300 meters from the cave entrance, so it was in total darkness unless artificially illuminated. The work was certainly aided by the use of torches or fire, abundant traces of which were found around the stalactite artwork. The purpose of the work remains unknown, but it may have been used for some form of ritual, or perhaps, more simply, as the foundation for some form of shelter or hut.
