Exceptional fossils in Southwest caves reveal a dramatic climate shift 34 million years ago, reshaping European wildlife.
Exceptional fossils found in Southwest caves
Exceptional fossils discovered in caves in the Southwest offer evidence of the Eocene-Oligocene Grande Coupure, a significant period 34 million years ago marked by a dramatic shift in climate that led to the extinction of many species and the emergence of new fauna in Europe.Grande Coupure climate change
The Eocene-Oligocene Grande Coupure was a time of major climate change that caused widespread extinctions and reshaped ecosystems, leading to the evolution of new species adapted to the cooler and drier conditions that followed.Reportage on fossil discoveries
The findings are detailed in a reportage produced in partnership with Le Monde, which highlights the importance of these fossils in understanding ancient climate events and their impact on biodiversity.Video documenting the findings
A video created in 2026, directed by Salomé Coré and produced by CNRS Images, documents these discoveries, incorporating additional images from Dans les gouffres à fossiles du Quercy © Ex Nihilo, to provide a visual account of the fossil-rich caves.
