Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain

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Cave of Altamira and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain

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Cave of Altamira and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain *
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Country	Spain
Type	Cultural
Criteria	i, iii
Reference	310
Region **	Europe and North America
Inscription history
Inscription	1985 (9th Session)
Extensions	2008
* Name as inscribed on World Heritage List ** Region as classified by UNESCO

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.

Cave of Altamira

Main article: Cave of Altamira

Chief among these caves is Altamira, located within the town of Santillana del Mar inCantabria. 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.

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

Main article: List of Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain

In 2008 the World Heritage Site was expanded to include 17 additional caves located innorthern 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.

Cantabria

In addition to Altamira, nine caves are located in Cantabria:

• Cave of 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

Five caves are located in Asturias, 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

Three caves are located in the Basque Country, two in the province of Gipuzkoa and one in Bizkaia:

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