Cave of Altamira and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain
18 caves representing the apogee of Upper Paleolithic cave art.
The Cave of Altamira and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain is a grouping of 18 caves in northern Spain that together represent the apogee of Upper Paleolithic cave art in Europe between 35,000 and 11,000 years ago. These caves span the Aurignacian, Gravettian, Solutrean, Magdalenian, and Azilian periods. In 2008, they were collectively designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Quick Facts
- Location
- Northern Spain
- Criteria
- (i), (iii)(i), (iii)
- Year
- 1985
- Extension
- 2008
- Buffer Zone
- 2,234.706 ha
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
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. Its artistic style represents the Franco-cantabrian school, characterized by the realism of its figural representation.
Reader's Guide
The Cave of Altamira and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain comprises 18 caves that together represent the apogee of Upper Paleolithic cave art in Europe between 35,000 and 11,000 years ago. Altamira, the chief cave, was declared a World Heritage Site in 1985. In 2008, the designation was expanded to include 17 additional caves located in three autonomous communities: Asturias, Cantabria, and the Basque Country. The caves span the Aurignacian, Gravettian, Solutrean, Magdalenian, and Azilian periods. The art is noted for its realism, characteristic of the Franco-cantabrian school. This grouping provides a comprehensive view of the development and peak of prehistoric cave painting in the region.
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