Cuciulat Cave, Natural cave near Cuciulat village, Romania
Cuciulat Cave is a natural cave near Cuciulat village on the Podișul Someșan plateau in Sălaj County. It features multiple chambers with mineral deposits that developed naturally over time.
The cave was discovered before World War I and contains artwork from the Upper Paleolithic period. Later, limestone quarrying operations using explosives caused significant damage to the site and its natural structure.
Scientific teams documented red clay paintings of horses, birds, and human figures inside. These artworks from the Upper Paleolithic show how early people expressed their view of the world through art.
The cave entrance became blocked in 1985 due to a landslide in the quarry area, making access impossible. Visitors can view the site from outside but cannot enter.
Chemical analysis revealed the cave paintings contained approximately 13 percent iron oxide, making their composition distinct. This suggests early artists deliberately selected specific materials to create their works.
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