Le Moustier , paleoanthropological and archaeological site in the Dordogne, south-west France that proved important Neanderthal remains. In the 1860s, the upper cave in the cliff face of Le Moustier yielded a rich collection of stone tools Paleolithic and thus became the type location of Mousterian Industry . The lower cave, excavated in the early 20th century, contained a long sequence of Paleolithic archaeological levels. Two immature Neanderthal fossils found there have provided paleoanthropologists with important information on Neanderthal biology, particularly growth patterns.
The first skeleton discovered in 1908 is that of an adolescent. Intended Le Moustier 1 includes most of the skull and some of the main long bones. Le Moustier 2, discovered in 1914, is the largely complete skeleton of a newborn. Both date from between 40,000 and 50,000 years ago. The analysis of these fossils has helped to reveal various diagnostic features of adult Neanderthals at different developmental stages. For example, compared to modern humans of the same age, the child's skeleton already exhibits facial proportions that would eventually form the pronounced midface projection and swept-back cheek regions of adult Neanderthals. The juvenile skeleton shows the large front teeth, prominent midface, and long, low, rounded braincase of the adult Neanderthal. The limb bones, while small, are already strong. however, its forehead region is only slightly developed.
The skeletons have had adventurous existences since their discovery. Le Moustier 1 was sold by a Swiss antique dealer to a German museum, after the disappeared World War II and popped up in the 1950s in material from St. Petersburg again on. Le Moustier 2 was lost shortly after its 1914 excavation, but was re-identified in 2002 after being found in a Dordogne museum.