Prehistoric Rock Art Sites in the Côa Valley and Siega Verde

Lore & Background

The rock engravings were discovered in Vila Nova de Foz Côa in the early 1990s during construction of a dam in the Côa River valley. Archaeologist Nélson Rabanda, studying the site under an agreement between the national energy company EDP and the heritage agency IPPAR, reported the case to the press and UNESCO. A controversy arose as EDP sought to disprove the age of the carvings to continue the dam project. UNESCO teams, including Jean Clottes and later Mounir Bouchenaki, investigated; Clottes confirmed the site as 'the biggest open air site of palaeolithic art in Europe, if not in the world.' A citizens group, Movimento para a Salvação das Gravuras do Côa, formed with the slogan 'As gravuras não sabem nadar' (The carvings don't know how to swim).

Reader's Guide

The Prehistoric Rock Art Sites in the Côa Valley and Siega Verde represent one of the most significant open-air Paleolithic art complexes in Europe. The discovery and subsequent preservation of the Côa Valley engravings sparked a national and international controversy, known as the 'Battle of Côa,' which ultimately led to the cancellation of a dam project that would have submerged the carvings. This event highlighted the tension between development and heritage conservation, and the role of public and international pressure in protecting cultural resources. The site's inclusion as a UNESCO transboundary World Heritage Site in 1998, later extended to Siega Verde in 2010, underscores its global importance. The art spans from the Paleolithic through the 20th century, with depictions of animals, humans, abstract figures, and modern subjects like boats and trains. The establishment of the Archaeological Park and the Côa Museum has facilitated ongoing research and public access, ensuring the site's continued study and preservation.

Did You Know?

• The earliest drawings in the Côa Valley date between 22,000 and 20,000 years ago (c. 20,000 to 18,000 B.C.).
• The dam project was cancelled in November 1995 after a change in government following general elections.
• The Siega Verde site in Spain was added to the UNESCO World Heritage listing in August 2010.