Cave of Altamira and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain: Difference between revisions

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 to represent the apogee of Paleolithic cave art developed in Europe between 35,000 and 11,000 D.C.

The eighteen caves included in this site of World Heritage Site are:

Cave of Altamira

Main article: Cave of Altamira

Chief among these caves is the Cave of Altamira, located within the town of Santillana del Mar in Cantabria. It remains one of the most important painting cycles of Prehistory. Belonging to the Magdalenian and Solutrean periods within the Upper Paleolithic. His artistic style is called Franco-Cantabrian school, characterized by the realism of the figures represented. Altamira Cave was declared a World Heritage Site in 1985.

The extension of 17 caves of Paleolithic rock art in northern Spain

Main article: Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain

In 2008 the site of a World Heritage Site was expanded to include another 17 caves located also in the area of the Green Spain in northern Spain and also have prominent signs of Paleolithic rock art. The caves are divided into three autonomous regions Asturias, Cantabria and the Basque Country.

Cantabria

In Cantabria is located nine of the caves, besides the aforementioned Altamira:

• Cave Chufín in Rionansa.
• Cave of Hornos de la Peña in San Felices de Buelna.
• Complex of the Caves del Monte Castillo in Puente Viesgo, 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 Camargo.
• Cave of La Garma in Luena.
• Cave of Covalanas in Ramales de la Victoria.

Asturias

In Asturias there are five caves, being all situated in the Comarca de Oriente:

• Cave of Tito Bustillo in Ribadesella.
• Cave of Candamo in Candamu.
• Cave of La Covaciella in Cabrales.
• Cave of Llonín in Peñamellera Alta.
• Cave del Pindal in Ribadedeva.

Basque Country

In the Basque Country are three caves, two in the province of Guipuzkoa and Biscay.

• Cave of Altxerri in Aia.
• Cave of Ekain in Deva.
• Cave of Santimamiñe in Kortezubi.