Monte Castillo, Mountain summit in Cantabria, Spain
Monte Castillo is a mountain in the Cantabrian mountain range with a height of about 350 meters, standing out in the northern Spanish landscape. Within its slopes lie four caves containing archaeological remains and rock art.
The caves in this mountain served as dwelling and artistic spaces thousands of years ago, with the oldest known artworks dating to approximately 40,000 years ago. These early artistic creations rank among the earliest known examples of human creative expression.
The caves within this mountain preserve hand stencils and drawings that visitors can observe today, creating a direct connection to people from thousands of years ago. These images reveal everyday moments and rituals that took place in this region.
Access to the caves follows well-marked paths with varying difficulty levels suitable for different fitness abilities. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear and bring extra layers, as the caves can be cool even on warm days.
Some of the red hand stencils and marks in the caves rank among the oldest artworks ever created by humans. This makes the location a direct window into humanity's earliest artistic activity.
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