Cave of Altamira and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain

The Cave of Altamira and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain (Cueva de Altamira y arte rupestre paleolítico del Norte de España) is a grouping of 18 caves of northern Spain, which together represent the apogee of Upper Paleolithic cave art in Europe between 35,000 and 11,000 years ago (Aurignacian, Gravettian, Solutrean, Magdalenian, Azilian). In 2008, they were collectively designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Cave of Altamira and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain
UNESCO World Heritage Site
LocationNorthern Spain
Includes
CriteriaCultural: (i), (iii)
Reference310bis
Inscription1985 (9th Session)
Extensions2008
Buffer zone2,234.706 ha (5,522.08 acres)
Coordinates43°22′39″N 4°07′21″W / 43.3774°N 4.1225°W / 43.3774; -4.1225
Cave of Altamira and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain is located in Earth
Cave of Altamira and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain
Location of Cave of Altamira and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain in Earth
Map of Paleolithic cave art sites in the Franco-Cantabrian region.

Chief among these caves is Altamira, located within the town of Santillana del Mar 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. In 2008, the World Heritage Site was expanded to include 17 additional caves located in three autonomous communities of northern Spain: Asturias, Cantabria and the Basque Country.

List of caves

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Code Name Location Coordinates Buffer zone
310-001 Cueva de Altamira   Cantabria, Santillana del Mar 43°22′57″N 04°07′13″W / 43.38250°N 4.12028°W / 43.38250; -4.12028 16 ha  
310-002 Cueva de la Peña de Candamo   Asturias, Candamo, San Román 43°27′21″N 6°4′21″W / 43.45583°N 6.07250°W / 43.45583; -6.07250 100 ha  
310-003 Cueva de Tito Bustillo   Asturias, Ribadesella 43°27′39″N 5°4′4″W / 43.46083°N 5.06778°W / 43.46083; -5.06778 243 ha  
310-004 Cueva de La Covaciella   Asturias, Cabrales 43°19′5″N 4°52′30″W / 43.31806°N 4.87500°W / 43.31806; -4.87500 11.3 ha  
310-005 Cueva de Llonín   Asturias, Peñamellera Alta 43°19′50″N 4°38′43″W / 43.33056°N 4.64528°W / 43.33056; -4.64528 17.4 ha  
310-006 Cueva del Pindal   Asturias, Ribadedeva 43°23′51″N 4°31′58″W / 43.39750°N 4.53278°W / 43.39750; -4.53278 69.4 ha  
310-007 Cueva de Chufín   Cantabria, Rionansa 43°17′26″N 4°27′29″W / 43.29056°N 4.45806°W / 43.29056; -4.45806 16.7 ha
310-008 Cueva de Hornos de la Peña   Cantabria, San Felices de Buelna 43°15′40″N 4°1′47″W / 43.26111°N 4.02972°W / 43.26111; -4.02972 25 ha  
310-009 Cueva de El Castillo   Cantabria Puente Viesgo, Cantabria 43°17′33″N 3°57′56″W / 43.2924°N 3.9655°W / 43.2924; -3.9655 69 ha  
310-010 Cueva de Las Monedas   Cantabria, Puente Viesgo 43°17′20″N 3°58′03″W / 43.289°N 3.9675°W / 43.289; -3.9675 69 ha  
310-011 Cueva de La Pasiega   Cantabria, Puente Viesgo 43°17′20″N 3°57′58″W / 43.289°N 3.966°W / 43.289; -3.966 69 ha  
310-012 Cueva de Las Chimeneas   Cantabria Puente Viesgo 43°17′29″N 3°57′52″W / 43.2914°N 3.9644°W / 43.2914; -3.9644 69 ha  
310-013 Cueva de El Pendo   Cantabria, Camargo 43°23′17″N 3°54′44″W / 43.38806°N 3.91222°W / 43.38806; -3.91222 64 ha
310-014 Cueva de La Garma   Cantabria, Ribamontán al Monte 43°25′50″N 3°39′57″W / 43.43056°N 3.66583°W / 43.43056; -3.66583 100 ha  
310-015 Cueva de Covalanas   Cantabria, Ramales de la Victoria 43°14′44″N 3°27′08″W / 43.24556°N 3.45222°W / 43.24556; -3.45222 1374 ha  
310-016 Cueva de Santimamiñe   País Vasco, Vizcaya, Cortézubi 43°20′47″N 2°38′12″W / 43.34639°N 2.63667°W / 43.34639; -2.63667 99 ha  
310-017 Cueva de Ekain   País Vasco, Guipúzcoa, Deva 43°14′09″N 02°16′31″W / 43.23583°N 2.27528°W / 43.23583; -2.27528 14.6 ha  
310-018 Cueva de Altxerri   País Vasco, Guipúzcoa, Aia 43°16′7″N 02°08′02″W / 43.26861°N 2.13389°W / 43.26861; -2.13389 15 ha  

See also

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References

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  • Cave of Altamira and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain (unesco.org)
  • Pike, A. W. G.; Hoffmann, D. L.; Garcia-Diez, M.; Pettitt, P. B.; Alcolea, J.; De Balbin, R.; Gonzalez-Sainz, C.; de las Heras, C.; Lasheras, J. A.; Montes, R.; Zilhao, J. (14 June 2012). "U-Series Dating of Paleolithic Art in 11 Caves in Spain". Science. 336 (6087): 1409–1413. Bibcode:2012Sci...336.1409P. doi:10.1126/science.1219957. PMID 22700921. S2CID 7807664.