Prince's Cave in Italy to be re-excavated after Neanderthal link
By Zak Jackson, MonacoViews Editorial
New comparisons with a Spanish site linked to Neanderthal ritual behaviour have prompted a fresh round of excavations at the Grotte du Prince near Menton.
The Grotte du Prince, a prehistoric site on the Italian side of the Ligurian border near Ventimiglia, is set for a new phase of excavations nearly two centuries after it was first explored. The renewed interest follows comparisons drawn with Cueva Des-Cubierta, a Spanish cave where researchers recently identified the earliest known evidence of ritual practices among Neanderthals.
The parallel has given fresh impetus to scientists studying the Grotte du Prince, which has long held a place in Monaco's scientific heritage. The Principality's involvement in prehistoric research in the region dates back to the 19th century, and the cave's formal name reflects that historical connection to the Monegasque court.
While precise details of the upcoming excavation programme have not yet been confirmed, researchers believe the site may still hold unexamined deposits that could shed further light on Neanderthal behaviour in the western Mediterranean. For Monaco, which maintains close ties to the site through its scientific institutions, the project represents a significant moment in the ongoing study of the region's deep prehistory.