Cave of Altamira and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain
Encyclopedia
Cave of Altamira and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain is the name under which are grouped 18 caves located in different regions of northern Spain
, which together represent the apogee of Paleolithic
cave art in Europe between 35,000 and 11,000 B.C. They have been collectively designated a World Heritage Site
.
in Cantabria
. It remains one of the most important painting cycles of prehistory
, originating in the Magdalenian
and Solutrean
periods of the Upper Paleolithic
. This cave's artistic style represents the Franco-cantabrian school, characterized by the realism of its figural representation. Altamira Cave was declared a World Heritage Site
in 1985.
was expanded to include 17 additional caves located in northern Spain
, some of which contain prominent examples of Paleolithic
rock art
. These caves are located in three autonomous regions: Asturias
, Cantabria
and the Basque Country
.
:
, all situated in the Comarca de Oriente
:
, two in the province of Gipuzkoa and one in Bizkaia
:
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, which together represent the apogee of Paleolithic
Paleolithic
The Paleolithic Age, Era or Period, is a prehistoric period of human history distinguished by the development of the most primitive stone tools discovered , and covers roughly 99% of human technological prehistory...
cave art in Europe between 35,000 and 11,000 B.C. They have been collectively designated a World Heritage Site
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
.
Cave of Altamira
Chief among these caves is Altamira, located within the town of Santillana del MarSantillana del Mar
Santillana del Mar is a historic town situated in Cantabria, Spain. Certain features of this historical town includes Altamira Caves and many historic buildings, attracting thousands of holiday-makers every year....
in Cantabria
Cantabria
Cantabria is a Spanish historical region and autonomous community with Santander as its capital city. It is bordered on the east by the Basque Autonomous Community , on the south by Castile and León , on the west by the Principality of Asturias, and on the north by the Cantabrian Sea.Cantabria...
. It remains one of the most important painting cycles of prehistory
Prehistory
Prehistory is the span of time before recorded history. Prehistory can refer to the period of human existence before the availability of those written records with which recorded history begins. More broadly, it refers to all the time preceding human existence and the invention of writing...
, originating in the Magdalenian
Magdalenian
The Magdalenian , refers to one of the later cultures of the Upper Paleolithic in western Europe, dating from around 17,000 BP to 9,000 BP...
and Solutrean
Solutrean
The Solutrean industry is a relatively advanced flint tool-making style of the Upper Palaeolithic, from around 22,000 to 17,000 BP.-Details:...
periods of the Upper Paleolithic
Upper Paleolithic
The Upper Paleolithic is the third and last subdivision of the Paleolithic or Old Stone Age as it is understood in Europe, Africa and Asia. Very broadly it dates to between 40,000 and 10,000 years ago, roughly coinciding with the appearance of behavioral modernity and before the advent of...
. This cave's artistic style represents the Franco-cantabrian school, characterized by the realism of its figural representation. Altamira Cave was declared a World Heritage Site
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
in 1985.
The extension of 17 caves of Paleolithic rock art in northern Spain
In 2008 the World Heritage SiteWorld Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
was expanded to include 17 additional caves located in northern Spain
Green Spain
Green Spain is the name given to the Spanish northern maritime façade exposed to the Atlantic Ocean in Galicia which also runs along the coastal strip lying north of the Cantabrian and Basque mountains, along the Bay of Biscay...
, some of which contain prominent examples of Paleolithic
Paleolithic
The Paleolithic Age, Era or Period, is a prehistoric period of human history distinguished by the development of the most primitive stone tools discovered , and covers roughly 99% of human technological prehistory...
rock art
Rock art
Rock art is a term used in archaeology for any human-made markings made on natural stone. They can be divided into:*Petroglyphs - carvings into stone surfaces*Pictographs - rock and cave paintings...
. These caves are located in three autonomous regions: Asturias
Asturias
The Principality of Asturias is an autonomous community of the Kingdom of Spain, coextensive with the former Kingdom of Asturias in the Middle Ages...
, Cantabria
Cantabria
Cantabria is a Spanish historical region and autonomous community with Santander as its capital city. It is bordered on the east by the Basque Autonomous Community , on the south by Castile and León , on the west by the Principality of Asturias, and on the north by the Cantabrian Sea.Cantabria...
and the Basque Country
Basque Country (autonomous community)
The Basque Country is an autonomous community of northern Spain. It includes the Basque provinces of Álava, Biscay and Gipuzkoa, also called Historical Territories....
.
Cantabria
In addition to Altamira, nine caves are located in CantabriaCantabria
Cantabria is a Spanish historical region and autonomous community with Santander as its capital city. It is bordered on the east by the Basque Autonomous Community , on the south by Castile and León , on the west by the Principality of Asturias, and on the north by the Cantabrian Sea.Cantabria...
:
- Cave of ChufínCave of ChufínThe cave of Chufín located in the town of Riclones in Cantabria . It is located in the place of confluence of the Lamasón and Nansa rivers in an environment with steep slopes where there are several caves with rock art...
in Rionansa. - Cave of Hornos de la Peña in San Felices de Buelna.
- Complex of the Caves del Monte CastilloCaves del Monte CastilloThe Caves del Monte Castillo, located in the Cantabrian town of Puente Viesgo, contain one of the most important Paleolithic sites in the region. The complex of caves del Monte Castillo is included in the list of World Heritage of UNESCO since July 2008, within the site «Cave of Altamira and...
in Puente ViesgoPuente ViesgoPuente Viesgo is a municipality in Cantabria, Spain....
, which includes the following chambers:- Cave of Las Monedas.
- Cave of El Castillo.
- Cave of Las Chimeneas.
- Cave of La Pasiega.
- Cave of El Pendo in CamargoCamargo, CantabriaCamargo is a municipality in the province and autonomous community of Cantabria, northern Spain. Its capital is Muriedas.-Towns:* Cacicedo.* Camargo.* Escobedo.* Herrera.* Igollo.* Maliaño.* Muriedas .* Revilla.-External links:*...
. - Cave of La Garma in LuenaLuena, CantabriaLuena is a municipality located in the autonomous community of Cantabria, Spain. According to the 2007 census, the municipality has a population of 831 inhabitants. Its capital is San Miguel de Luena. The municipality consists of a valley which runs from the Cantabrian Mountains to the North, until...
. - Cave of Covalanas in Ramales de la VictoriaRamales de la VictoriaRamales de La Victoria is a municipality located in the autonomous community of Cantabria, Spain. The Battle of Ramales took place here in 1839 during the First Carlist War....
.
Asturias
Five caves are located in AsturiasAsturias
The Principality of Asturias is an autonomous community of the Kingdom of Spain, coextensive with the former Kingdom of Asturias in the Middle Ages...
, all situated in the Comarca de Oriente
Oriente (Asturian comarca)
Oriente is one of 8 comarcas administrative divisions of Asturias, which is a province and an autonomous community in Spain .The comarca of Oriente is divided into fourteen administrative regions...
:
- Cave of Tito Bustillo in RibadesellaRibadesellaRibadesella Ribadesella is a small municipality in the Autonomous Community of the Principality of Asturias, Spain. Known for its location on the Cantabrian Sea, as well as for the outlet of the River Sella, Ribadesella is a town that forms part of the Picos de Europa...
. - Cave of Candamo in CandamuCandamoCandamo is a municipality in the Autonomous Community of the Principality of Asturias, Spain. It is bordered on the east by Las Regueras, on the south by Grado, on the north by Illas, Castrillón and Soto del Barco, and on the west by Pravia and Salas.-History:Around Candamo and specially on the...
. - Cave of La Covaciella in CabralesCabralesCabrales is a municipality in the autonomous community of Asturias, northwestern Spain. It is situated between the Sierra de Cuera and the Picos de Europa, and is a region famous for its Cabrales cheese....
. - Cave of Llonín in Peñamellera AltaPeñamellera AltaPeñamellera Alta is a municipality in the Autonomous Community of the Principality of Asturias, Spain. It is bordered on the north by Llanes, on the west by Cabrales, on the east by Peñamellera Baja and on the south by the Autonomous Community of Cantabria....
. - Cave del Pindal in RibadedevaRibadedevaRibadedeva is a municipality in the Autonomous Community of the Principality of Asturias, Spain. To the north is the Cantabrian Sea, while to the south lies Peñamellera Baja, to the west Llanes and to the east, across the Deva River, the Autonomous Community of...
.
Basque Country
Three caves are located in the Basque CountryBasque Country (autonomous community)
The Basque Country is an autonomous community of northern Spain. It includes the Basque provinces of Álava, Biscay and Gipuzkoa, also called Historical Territories....
, two in the province of Gipuzkoa and one in Bizkaia
Biscay
Biscay is a province of Spain and a historical territory of the Basque Country, heir of the ancient Lord of Biscay. Its capital city is Bilbao...
:
- Cave of Altxerri in AiaAiaAia is a small village situated on the slopes of Mount Pagoeta in the Basque province of Gipuzkoa, Spain. It is located 30 km to the west of Donostia-San Sebastián and about 10 km inland from the coastal town of Zarautz. Aia is set amongst rolling green hills and lush green forests, and...
. - Cave of Ekain in Deva.
- Cave of SantimamiñeSantimamiñeSantimamiñe cave, Kortezubi, Biscay, Basque Country, Spain, is one of the most important archaeological sites of the Basque Country, including a nearly complete sequence from the Middle Paleolithic to the Iron Age....
in KortezubiKortezubiKortezubi is a town and municipality located in the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of Basque Country, northern Spain. It has 412 inhabitants.-External links:*...
.