Cave of Las Chimeneas, Archaeological site in Monte Castillo, Puente Viesgo, Spain.
Caverna de Las Chimeneas is an underground cave with multiple chambers connected by natural passages and vertical openings in the rock. The limestone walls display numerous black paintings and carved animal figures including deer, aurochs, chamois, and horses throughout its passages.
The site came to light in 1953 and has been important for archaeological research ever since. Evidence of human occupation was found, with the artistic works dating back roughly 15,000 years.
Black handprints and finger-traced marks cover the walls, left by people who lived here thousands of years ago. These simple marks tell a story about the daily activities and creative expression of the earliest inhabitants.
A guide is required to visit, as access is carefully controlled to protect the site. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes because the ground is uneven and can be slippery in places.
A particular aurochs figure in the cave was made using direct engraving rather than the usual finger-tracing method. This different approach shows that early artists experimented with various techniques to create their works.
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