# Terra Amata occupation (-450000)

URL: https://history-france.com/timeline/-450000-terra-amata-occupation
Location: Nice

Open-air occupation at Terra Amata preserves evidence of organized prehistoric living spaces. Within the broader Prehistoric France period, From the earliest hominin traces to the Iron Age, the territory of modern France saw repeated migrations, changing climates, technological innovations and increasingly complex communities long before a French state existed. At this point in the timeline, the relevant governing authority is Prehistoric communities (No single ruler). Terra Amata occupation is a useful marker in the longer transformation of political authority, society and culture in France. The event is positioned here so visitors can read it alongside changes in government, warfare, society, religion, culture and France’s wider international setting.

## Why it matters
Terra Amata occupation is a useful marker in the longer transformation of political authority, society and culture in France.

Ruler at the time: [Prehistoric communities](https://history-france.com/rulers/prehistoric-communities)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia topic lookup — Terra Amata occupation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=Terra+Amata+occupation&go=Go)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Terra Amata occupation](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Terra+Amata+occupation)
- [Wikipedia — History of France overview](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_France)