Neandertal (valley) Valley

Address: Neandertal valley, near Mettmann, North Rhine‑Westphalia, Germany

Neandertal is a small valley in North Rhine-Westphalia near Mettmann and Erkrath, notable as the site where Neanderthal fossils were first identified in 1856. It is a scientifically important landscape for the study of early humans and human evolution.

The area includes an interpretation of the original findspot and the nearby Neanderthal Museum, which presents skeletal remains, reconstructions and archaeological context. The valley itself is crossed by the Düssel river and offers short walking trails and viewpoints that interpret the geology and paleontological discoveries for visitors.

Fossil bones were recovered from a limestone cave in the valley in 1856; subsequent excavations and research established the remains as a distinct hominin. The valley and museum together document later archaeological work, scientific reinterpretation and the history of paleoanthropology connected to the site.

The valley lies east of Düsseldorf in the Rhineland, between the towns of Mettmann and Erkrath. The museum and interpretive trails are sited close to the original discovery area and are accessible from local roads and public transport from the Düsseldorf region.

• Discovery date: The 1856 discovery in the Feldhofer cave gave its name to the species Homo neanderthalensis and established the site as a key location in paleoanthropology.
• Access and trails: A short riverside walk along the Düssel and interpretive panels link the museum to the valley viewpoint where guided paths explain the geology and finds.

What to See#

• Feldhofer cave: Site of the original limestone fissure known as the Feldhofer cave where the first Neanderthal bones were recovered in 1856; the cave itself is no longer intact but the area is marked and interpreted.
• Neanderthal Museum: Museum dedicated to the discovery and human evolution with large archaeological displays, reconstructions and an interactive exhibition; opened in 1996 and located close to the fossil findspot in Mettmann.

• Plan to visit the Neandertal valley via the Neanderthal Museum entrance and parking to get oriented - the museum provides context that makes the outdoor sites along the Düssel stream far more meaningful.
• Go on a weekday morning if possible; weekends and school holidays draw families and groups to the museum and the valley paths, while early visits give better chances for quieter, interpretive walks.
• Follow the marked valley trails downstream from the museum rather than staying only near the car park - the archaeological landscape and reconstructions are spread along the gorge and are easy to miss if you stick to the first viewpoint.