The Kleine Feldhofer Grotte is worldwide known for its human fossils. In 1997 and 2000 excavations were carried out by the Rheinische Amt für Bodendenkmalpflege. Besides human bones, stone artefacts and faunal remains were found. This enabled us for the first time, to draw conclusions about the settlement habits of Neanderthals at the Kleine Feldhofer Grotte. Historical documents confirm the presence of nine caves in this area. Most probably, all of them contained traces of ice-age occupation. Archaeological finds from the Hochdahler Kante testify open-air sites during the accumulation of loess-sediments.

Due to experience with similar regions of central Europe it becomes quite plausible that the gently sloping hills and small valleys of the Neanderland were ideal settlement areas for Neanderthals. A large number of sites confirm occupation during younger stone-age periods. However, they are missing for the last Ice Age. We want to enhance the current state of research by means of systematic survey and mapping.

Since 2003 the Neanderthal Museum – in collaboration with the Rheinisches Amt für Bodendenkmalpflege (Overath) – has been attending voluntary archaeologists and laymen in all matters of “Stone Age”. Among other things, we communicate skills to recognise and comprehend stone artefacts. New finds are discussed in great detail. This work is a basic prerequisite for future discoveries of ice-age sites.