Cueva de Ardales, Cave entrance in Ardales, Spain
Cueva de Ardales is a cave within limestone formations in Málaga province, containing an extensive underground network of passages and chambers. The walls throughout this network bear prehistoric artworks that have survived thousands of years.
The cave was used during the Stone Age by early human groups who left paintings and drawings on the walls. These artworks span different time periods and document repeated occupation across long epochs.
The cave displays red markings and animal figures that reveal the artistic abilities and spiritual practices of prehistoric people. These artworks offer insight into how early humans thought and lived in this place.
Visitors must register for guided tours in advance since daily entry numbers are limited to protect the prehistoric artworks. Planning ahead is needed to secure a spot on a tour.
Red paint marks on stalagmites indicate that Neanderthals visited this cave more than 65,000 years ago, long before modern humans arrived. This discovery challenges our understanding of how different prehistoric groups moved through this region.
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