Cave of Altamira and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain

Under the name Cave of Altamira and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain (Cueva de Altamira y arte rupestre paleolítico del Norte de España) are grouped 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). They have been collectively designated a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO in 2008.

Cave of Altamira and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Replica of the Cave of Altamira at the National Archaeological Museum (Madrid)
LocationNorthern Spain
Includes
  1. Altamira
  2. La Peña de Candamo
  3. Tito Bustillo
  4. Covaciella
  5. Llonín
  6. El Pindal
  7. Chufín
  8. Hornos de la Peña
  9. Monte Castillo: El Castillo
  10. Monte Castillo: Las Monedas
  11. Monte Castillo: La Pasiega
  12. Monte Castillo: Las Chimeneas
  13. El Pendo
  14. La Garma
  15. Covalanas
  16. Santimamiñe
  17. Ekain
  18. Altxerri
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
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 regions of northern Spain: Asturias, Cantabria and the Basque Country.

List of caves
Code Name Location Coordinates Buffer zone
310-001 Cueva de Altamira  Cantabria, Santillana del Mar 43°22′57″N 04°07′13″W 16 ha
310-002 Cueva de la Peña de Candamo  Asturias, Candamo, San Román 43°27′21″N 6°4′21″W 100 ha
310-003 Cueva de Tito Bustillo  Asturias, Ribadesella 43°27′39″N 5°4′4″W 243 ha
310-004 Cueva de La Covaciella  Asturias, Cabrales 43°19′5″N 4°52′30″W 11.3 ha
310-005 Cueva de Llonín  Asturias, Peñamellera Alta 43°19′50″N 4°38′43″W 17.4 ha
310-006 Cueva del Pindal  Asturias, Ribadedeva 43°23′51″N 4°31′58″W 69.4 ha
310-007 Cueva de Chufín  Cantabria, Rionansa 43°17′26″N 4°27′29″W 16.7 ha
310-008 Cueva de Hornos de la Peña  Cantabria, San Felices de Buelna 43°15′40″N 4°1′47″W 25 ha
310-009 Cueva de El Castillo  Cantabria Puente Viesgo, Cantabria 43°17′33″N 3°57′56″W 69 ha
310-010 Cueva de Las Monedas  Cantabria, Puente Viesgo 43°17′20″N 3°58′03″W 69 ha
310-011 Cueva de La Pasiega  Cantabria, Puente Viesgo 43°17′20″N 3°57′58″W 69 ha
310-012 Cueva de Las Chimeneas  Cantabria Puente Viesgo 43°17′29″N 3°57′52″W 69 ha
310-013 Cueva de El Pendo  Cantabria, Camargo 43°23′17″N 3°54′44″W 64 ha
310-014 Cueva de La Garma  Cantabria, Ribamontán al Monte 43°25′50″N 3°39′57″W 100 ha
310-015 Cueva de Covalanas  Cantabria, Ramales de la Victoria 43°14′44″N 3°27′08″W 1374 ha
310-016 Cueva de Santimamiñe  País Vasco, Vizcaya, Cortézubi 43°20′47″N 2°38′12″W 99 ha
310-017 Cueva de Ekain  País Vasco, Guipúzcoa, Deva 43°14′09″N 02°16′31″W 14.6 ha
310-018 Cueva de Altxerri  País Vasco, Guipúzcoa, Aia 43°16′7″N 02°08′02″W 15 ha

See also

References
    • 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. doi:10.1126/science.1219957. PMID 22700921.
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