Painted auroch head– the first animal figure discovered in Cova Dones, validating the existence of Palaeolithic rock art at the site. Credit: A Ruiz-Redondo/V Barciela/X Martorell
Archaeologists have found a significant Palaeolithic cave art site, perhaps the most important discovered on the Eastern Iberian Coast in Europe.
Over a hundred ancient paintings and engravings, believed to be at least 24,000 years of ages, have been discovered in a 500 meter-long collapse Cova Dones or Cueva Dones– a website located in Millares near Valencia in Spain.
Two hinds heads painted in Cova Dones. Credit: A Ruiz-Redondo/V Barciela/X Martorell
The cavern website is widely known by residents and frequently gone to by hikers and explorers, but the existence of Palaeolithic paintings was unnoticed until researchers from the universities of Zaragoza and Alicante (Spain), and connected to the University of Southampton (UK), made the amazing discovery in June 2021.
, we immediately acknowledged it was crucial. Spain is the nation with the biggest number of Palaeolithic cave art sites, most of them are focused in northern Spain. Eastern Iberia is an area where few of these websites have actually been documented so far.
Findings of a research study into the cave art, which highlights its real significance, are now released in the journal Antiquity.
Partly flooded chamber which consists of the majority of the parietal concepts. Credit: A Ruiz-Redondo/V Barciela/X Martorell
Dr Aitor Ruiz-Redondo, Senior Lecturer of Prehistory at the University of Zaragoza (Spain) and research study affiliate at the University of Southampton (UK) remarks: “When we saw the first painted auroch [extinct wild bull], we immediately acknowledged it was essential. Spain is the nation with the biggest number of Palaeolithic cave art websites, many of them are concentrated in northern Spain. Eastern Iberia is an area where few of these sites have been documented up until now.
” However, the actual shock of recognizing its significance came long after the very first discovery. Once we began the proper organized survey we recognized we were dealing with a major cavern art website, like the ones that can be found in other places in Cantabrian Spain, southern France, or Andalusia, however that totally does not have in this territory.”
Dr Martorell and Dr Barciela analyzing a 3D scan of a decorated panel. Credit: A Ruiz-Redondo/V Barciela/X Martorell
The research study team of Dr. Ruiz-Redondo, Dr. Virginia Barciela-González, Senior Lecturer of Prehistory at the University of Alicante (Spain), and Dr. Ximo Martorell-Briz, research study affiliate at the University of Alicante (Spain), have actually meticulously recorded over a hundred concepts, or designs, at Cova Dones up until now.
The large number of themes and the variety of techniques associated with their production make the cavern the most essential Palaeolithic cavern art site on the eastern Mediterranean coast of the Iberian Peninsula. In reality, it is most likely the Palaeolithic cave with the best variety of themes found in Europe since Atxurra (Bizkaia), in 2015.
Engraved hind discovered in Cova Dones. Credit: A Ruiz-Redondo/V Barciela/X Martorell
The study highlights there are at least 19 verified animal representations, including hinds, aurochs, deer, and horses. Abnormally, most of the paintings have actually been made utilizing clay.
Dr Aitor Ruiz-Redondo discusses: “Animals and indications were depicted merely by dragging the fingers and palms covered with clay on the walls. The damp environment of the cavern did the rest: the paintings dried rather slowly, preventing parts of the clay from dropping quickly, while other parts were covered by calcite layers, which maintained them up until today.”
Horse head painted with clay. Credit: A Ruiz-Redondo/V Barciela/X Martorell
Painting in clay is understood in Palaeolithic Art, examples of its usage (or preservation) are scarce. In Cueva Dones, however, it is the main technique.
The scientists say their investigations are at an early phase and there are still lots of locations to survey and panels to document– so they are likely to reveal more art in the coming years.
Referral: “Cova Dones: a significant Palaeolithic cavern art site in eastern Iberia” by Aitor Ruiz-Redondo, Virginia Barciela and Ximo Martorell, 8 September 2023, Antiquity.DOI: 10.15184/ aqy.2023.133.