The discovery of the Cro-Magnon remains in the Dordogne region of France provided the first firm evidence of the antiquity of our own species, Homo sapiens. These skeletons, found in a rock shelter, were clearly modern in their anatomy and were associated with stone tools and extinct animal remains. The Cro-Magnon finds demonstrated that modern humans had lived in Europe during the Ice Age, alongside the now-vanished megafauna.

The discovery of the Cro-Magnon remains, our direct ancestors, had a profound impact on how poets and writers thought about human history and origins. It provided a tangible link to the deep past, showing that our own species was an ancient one with a long and rich history. This find inspired a new sense of connection to prehistory and has been a source of reflection on the long journey of human culture, influencing poets who sought to trace the origins of human consciousness and creativity.