International audience Kozarnika Cave (north-western Bulgaria) delivered a long archaeological sequence that covers almost the entire Pleistocene. Lower levels dated by faunal associations between the second half of the Early Pleistocene (between the MNQ 18 and MNQ 19) and the first half of the Middle Pleistocene (MNQ 20-21) yielded some assemblages with non-Acheulean core-and-flake (and not pebble-core) industries. Middle Palaeolithic levels of Balkan Levallois-Mousterian with leaf points date of OIS 6-3 pro parte. The Upper Palaeolithic sequence is dated by 14C AMS between about 52.5 ka calBP and about 13.6 ka calBP. This long monotonous archaeological sequence (about 39 ka), begins in the vestibule of the cave (sectors I and II) with an Initial Upper Palaeolithic lamellar type industry with marginally backed bladelets which has no Aurignacian elements – the Early Kozarnikian – a possible precursor of the local tradition related to a technocomplex of lamellar industries containing backed pieces in overlaying levels. This absence of Aurignacian elements is also confirmed in the bone industry found in sectors I and II. On the other hand, the recent excavations in sector III have provided us all the data to prove that at least one Aurignacian level is intercalated in the Kozarnikian sequence. Because of successive Palaeolithic sequences in Kozarnika Cave and its geographical position, this site is a milestone for the understanding of the different phases of the earliest colonization and migrations to Europe.