El Salt

El Salt is an archaeological site in the mountains near Alcoy with thick layered deposits containing stone tools and animal bones. A large limestone rock formation towers above the find layers at roughly 680 meters elevation.

The site was inhabited and settled by Neanderthals roughly 50,000 years ago, as shown by excavations revealing fire pits and flint work. Research began in modern times and continues today with scientific analysis of the deposit layers.

The site shows through hearths and tools how Neanderthals lived and used their surroundings in this region. The finds suggest people visited this location as a camp to survive near the mountains.

The location sits in hilly terrain and can be reached via trails from the town of Alcoy. Keep in mind that this is an active research site and access may be limited depending on ongoing work.

Analysis of coprolites at the site reveals that Neanderthals ate both meat and plants in this region. This suggests these early people had a varied diet, not purely carnivorous as once believed.