History shattered: 175k year-old ring of stones found in sealed cave built by Neanderthals

Estimated to be built between 175,000 and 177,000 years ago, the ring of stalagmites found in a French cave tells a story of an ancient people on the verge of great thinking.

Originally discovered in the early 1990's, the cave is known as Bruniquel Cave and the structures within show the building capacity of the Neanderthal came at a much earlier time than previously thought.

A 3D map of the rings and heaps of stalagmite fragments arranged by Neanderthals deep within a cave in southwestern France. The larger ring is about 6.7 meters long and 4.5 meters wide.

Image: Xavier Muth/Get in Situ

It is deduction that has lead scientists to conclude the ring was built by Neanderthals.  Humans did not enter the area until about 100,000 years ago.  It is the first specifically dated evidence of Neanderthal construction.  It is also the first evidence that they explored deep caves.

The stalagmites were broken and strewn in a circle, though the intention is still not know.  It is now believed that Neanderthals built similar structures on the surface, though they would have been lost to the elements.