Located in the heart of the plain known as the Tavoliere delle Puglia, Grotta Paglicci is one of Italy’s most important archaeological sites. The cave was most likely inhabited without interruption by prehistoric man and briefly by animals between 200,000 and 10,000 years ago. The oldest part of the cave is an external shelter thought to have been built about 350 to 500,000 years ago.
In forty years of excavations more than 45,000 artefacts have been found dating from the Lower, Middle and Upper Palaeolithic, representing the three phases of on the promontory, including significant findings of artistic manufactures and two whole burial sites: the tomb of a boy aged about 11, dating to 24,000 years ago, and of a girl aged about 18, dating to 23,000 years ago.
The cave is opened only when excavations are underway and cannot be visited due to conservation requirements. However, it is possible to visit the exhibition and museum operated by the Paglicci Study Centre, to view casts such as the burial of the Paglicci woman and participate in interesting educational workshops.