The cave is situated in Fumane’s Progno Valley, just off the Molina Road. It was discovered by Giovanni Solinas in 1964. This site is extremely important for understanding the significant biological and cultural change in human evolution which occurred around 40,000 years ago.
Grotta di Fumane is one of the major prehistoric archaeological sites in Europe. The rich evidence preserved in the deposits filling the cave has been studied since 1988 by the Regional Authority (Soprintendenza del Veneto) for Archaeological Heritage, by the University of Ferrara, the University of Milan and the Natural History Museum of Verona and is an exceptional document of the lifestyles of both Neanderthal man and early Modern humans.
This site is essential for studying the lifestyle, economy, technology, and spirituality of the ancient humans that frequented the Valpolicella area for over 50,000 years. It is also important for our understanding of the mechanisms that led, around 40,000 years ago, to the affirmation of Modern Man in Europe.
Since 2005 the cave has been accessible to visitors of the Lessinia Park. The traces of Palaeolithic living spaces revealed throughout the stratigraphic sections are an evocative journey through the past.
