Castillo, Archaeological cave site in Puente Viesgo, Spain
Castillo is a cave with several connected chambers that holds over 150 prehistoric artworks on its walls. The paintings include red circular shapes, animal drawings, and numerous hand stencils arranged in layers across the rock surface.
The cave was discovered in 1903 and shows evidence of at least 19 different periods of human use. These layers span from the early Stone Age to the Bronze Age, revealing thousands of years of occupation.
The hand stencils on the walls show how people left their personal marks in this place across thousands of years. Visitors can see layers of different hands placed over one another, creating a record of repeated visits by different generations.
The entrance has been widened to accommodate visitors, and guided tours take you through the connected chambers. Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for uneven ground and dim lighting inside the cave.
Research on the hand stencils suggests that many were made by women, challenging earlier ideas about who created prehistoric art. This discovery shifts our understanding of artistic practice in these ancient times.
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