Kleine Feldhofer Grotte
Cave Archaeological cave where Neanderthal remains were found
The Neanderthal discovery site in North Rhine-Westphalia; visitors interested in paleoanthropology go to the historic location and the nearby Neanderthal Museum in Mettmann.
Kleine Feldhofer Grotte was a small limestone cave in the Neander Valley (Neandertal) in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, where the first recognized Neanderthal fossil was discovered in 1856. The find became foundational for paleoanthropology.
The original cave no longer survives in its original form, but the site is marked and interpreted for visitors, and the nearby Neanderthal Museum presents the discovery and subsequent research. The location is visited for its scientific and historical significance rather than for physical cave exploration.
In August 1856 quarry workers recovered skeletal remains that were described by local naturalists and identified as a distinct form of ancient human. The find, later called Neanderthal 1, prompted major developments in the study of human evolution.
The site lies in the Neander Valley near the town of Mettmann, in the Rhine-Ruhr region of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, within the industrialized Düsseldorf area.
- Scientific importance: Site of the 1856 discovery that produced the first recognized Neanderthal fossil, found by quarry workers in the Neander Valley
- Site status: The original cave was altered and ultimately destroyed by subsequent mining; commemorative markers and the nearby Neanderthal Museum interpret the find
How to Get to Kleine Feldhofer Grotte #
Nearest major city: Düsseldorf. From Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof take regional trains to Mettmann and local buses or a short taxi to the Neanderthal Museum. The original grotto site is in the Neandertal valley, adjacent to the museum’s grounds.
Tips for Visiting Kleine Feldhofer Grotte #
- Visit the Neanderthal Museum in Mettmann to see replicas and context - it's the best place to understand the site's importance.
Best Time to Visit Kleine Feldhofer Grotte #
The primary way to experience Kleine Feldhofer Grotte's story is via the nearby Neanderthal Museum any time of year.
Weather & Climate near Kleine Feldhofer Grotte #
Kleine Feldhofer Grotte's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 0°C to 23°C. Moderate rainfall (928 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 5°C and lows of 0°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (71 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 12°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 22°C and lows of 14°C. Regular rainfall (83 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 4°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 2°C. The wettest month with 91 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.
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