Hundreds of Ice Age Cave Engravings Found in Spain

A cave in Catalonia, Spain, has yielded a significant discovery of prehistoric engravings, with over 280 motifs identified on its walls and ceilings. The find includes 55 animal figures, such as horses, deer, and bovids, along with 40 parallel lines and other geometric shapes.

The engravings, dated to at least 19,000 years ago, were discovered by Josep Maria Vergès and Míriam Salas-Altès, archaeologists at the Catalan Institute of Human Palaeoecology and Social Evolution. Their findings were published in the journal Antiquity.

Vergès initially noticed the engravings while inspecting a small side cave after being told about a group of tourists in wetsuits. He found the walls covered with names and dates from visitors since 1957, and upon closer inspection, identified older, prehistoric lines.

The team confirmed the authenticity of the engravings through chemical analysis and compared them to other well-dated rock art. They also used radiocarbon dating to determine the timing of human occupation at the site.

The Cova de la Font Major assemblage is notable for its scale and quality. Fewer than 10% of regional rock art sites have more than 20 animal drawings, and the artwork includes a rare depiction of a bear, which is uncommon in Paleolithic art.

Researchers believe the engravings remained unnoticed due to their visibility under frontal lighting, which is how visitors typically view the cave. Modern graffiti, in contrast, is more noticeable. Once the engravings were brought to attention, they became impossible to overlook.

The cave remains closed to the public due to fragile walls, but the discovery may lead to more hidden Paleolithic art in the region. The team aims to further refine the dating of the assemblage and explore blocked entrances that could reveal additional galleries.