La Chapelle-aux-Saints
Commune
La Bouffia Bonneval, the discovery site of the Neanderthal burials of La Chapelle-aux-Saints
La Bouffia Bonneval, the discovery site of the Neanderthal burials of La Chapelle-aux-Saints
Coat of arms of La Chapelle-aux-Saints
Coat of arms
Location of La Chapelle-aux-Saints
Map
La Chapelle-aux-Saints is located in France
La Chapelle-aux-Saints
La Chapelle-aux-Saints
La Chapelle-aux-Saints is located in Nouvelle-Aquitaine
La Chapelle-aux-Saints
La Chapelle-aux-Saints
Coordinates: 44°59′17″N 1°43′34″E / 44.9881°N 1.7261°E / 44.9881; 1.7261
CountryFrance
RegionNouvelle-Aquitaine
DepartmentCorrèze
ArrondissementBrive-la-Gaillarde
CantonMidi Corrézien
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2026) Gérard Lavastrou[1]
Area
1
4.72 km2 (1.82 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[2]
266
 • Density56/km2 (150/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
19044 /19120
Elevation120–191 m (394–627 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

La Chapelle-aux-Saints (French pronunciation: [la ʃapɛl o sɛ̃]; Occitan: La Chapela daus Sents) is a commune in the Corrèze department in central France.

History

Neanderthal skeleton

The La Chapelle-aux-Saints cave, bordering the Sourdoire valley, revealed many archeological artifacts belonging to the late Mousterian techno-complex,[3] including the first ever recognized Neanderthal burial discovered on August 3, 1908.[4] Jean and Amédée Bouyssonie, as well as L. Bardon, led archaeological digs in the cave from 1905 to 1908, discovering over 1,000 pieces of stone industry (mainly flint), bones of different fauna including reindeer, bovid, horse, fox, wolf and even a rhinoceros’ tooth.[3] The most spectacular discovery was that of a very well preserved skeleton of an adult Neanderthal man who appears to have been intentionally buried in a rectangular pit 30 centimetres (12 in) deep, 1.45 metres (4.8 ft) long and 1 metre (3.3 ft) wide.[5]

This discovery led to a controversy for the existence of burials during the Mousterian. Arguments for the existence of a tomb were the sleeping position of the body, and the funeral "gifts" associated with the pit like stone tools and animal bones. Some archaeologists believe the Chapelle-aux-Saints cave wasn't used as a habitat, but a place for funeral feasts.[3]

Modern period

During the French Revolution, the commune changed its name to La Chapelle-aux-Prés following a decree from the National Convention.

Population

See also

References

  1. ^ "Répertoire national des élus: les maires". data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises (in French). 2 December 2020.
  2. ^ "Populations légales 2021". The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 28 December 2023.
  3. ^ a b c BINANT P., 1991 - Les sépultures du Paléolithique. Paris : Errance
  4. ^ POSTEL B., 2008 - Neandertal et la mort. Archéologia n°458 : 6-11
  5. ^ NOUGIER L.-R., 1963, La préhistoire : essai de paléosociologie religieuse. Paris : Bloud & Gay : 43-44
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