Extended Data Figure 3: Fireplaces and heated areas.
From: Early Neanderthal constructions deep in Bruniquel Cave in southwestern France
a, Examples of a fireplace on the main structure. Note the reddened, blackened and fissured stalagmites34. The structure in this location (top) is covered by white, more recent and still active stalagmites. The heated areas on the speleofacts correspond to the red and grey colours, as well as fissuring and superficial spalling. These scars are similar to thermal alterations studied in the cave of Chauvet-Pont d’Arc (Ardèche)35. In our current stage of observation, the study of their distribution enabled us to identify a well-preserved fireplace in structure A, as well as structures that have been disturbed by processes that remain to be determined (structures D and E, for example). b, Numbers per structure of heated areas, thermic spalling, fissured spots and blackened elements (that is, speleofacts) and soot.
