Shelters & Habitation

Olduvai DK stone circle

A rough circle of stacked stones at Olduvai Gorge DK site, interpreted by Mary Leakey as a possible windbreak or hut foundation. Interpretation is debated.

Materials: Stacked stones

Evidence: Ring of basalt blocks ~4m diameter

Terra Amata huts

Claimed seasonal shelters built by H. heidelbergensis on a beach near present-day Nice. Oval post-holes suggest structures up to 15m long. Interpretation heavily debated.

Materials: Wood posts, possibly hide covering

Evidence: Possible post-holes, shaped floors, central hearths

Qesem Cave

Late Lower Palaeolithic repeated fire use.

Materials: Karst limestone

Evidence: Thick ash layers; faunal processing

Ref: Isotopic evidence of early hominin diets

Bilzingsleben camps

Open-air lakeside camp with evidence of three circular dwelling areas, an anvil stone tool-making area, and paved areas.

Materials: Wood, bone, stone paving

Evidence: Circular dwelling outlines ~3-4m diameter, paved areas, tool-making areas

Bruniquel Cave structures

Neanderthal-constructed ring structures made from approximately 400 broken stalagmites arranged in two rings deep inside a cave. Evidence of fire use on the structures.

Materials: Broken stalagmites

Evidence: Two rings of broken stalagmites with fire traces, 336m from cave entrance

Pinnacle Point 5–6

MSA occupations with heat-treated silcrete and shellfish.

Materials: Stone cliff overhang

Evidence: Rock shelter over Indian Ocean

Ref: Isotopic evidence of early hominin diets

Lazaret Cave

A possible internal tent-like structure within a larger cave, with evidence of hide walls supported against the cave wall.

Materials: Hide walls against cave wall

Evidence: Post-holes along cave wall, concentrated occupation debris within defined area

Klasies River Main

MSA humans; coastal adaptation.

Materials: Quartzitic sandstone shelter

Evidence: Shell middens; hearths

Ref: Isotopic evidence of early hominin diets

Roc de Marsal

Neanderthal occupation with fire.

Materials: Limestone shelter

Evidence: Hearth features

Ref: Isotopic evidence of early hominin diets

Mezmaiskaya Cave

Neanderthal infant burial and occupation.

Materials: Limestone

Evidence: Stratified MP layers

Ref: Isotopic evidence of early hominin diets

Kebara Cave

Neanderthal hearths and well-preserved occupation.

Materials: Limestone

Evidence: Layered hearths; hyoid burial

Ref: Isotopic evidence of early hominin diets

Abri du Marais

MP/UP transition occupations (illustrative).

Materials: Limestone

Evidence: Sheltered overhang

Ref: Isotopic evidence of early hominin diets

Kostenki 14

Upper Palaeolithic hut features.

Materials: Mammoth bone + hide

Evidence: Mammoth bone structure

Ref: Isotopic evidence of early hominin diets

Ohalo II brush huts

Well-preserved remains of at least six brush hut floors from an early H. sapiens campsite, including the earliest known bedding.

Materials: Brushwood, grass

Evidence: Preserved brush floors, bedding of grass and plants, hearths