Prehistoric Spanish Caves 'Under Threat'

Submitted by Sean Williams on Mon, 08/24/2009 - 11:28

The prehistoric treasures of Spain's caves are renowned worldwide. But a recent report warns that caves in the country's Valencia region are in serious danger of being vandalised and looted. The millennia-old heritage is being disregarded in favour of more modern, tourist-friendly sites such as Baroque cathedrals and century-old buildings. They are being protected with fences and reconstruction projects, says José Aparicio, head of the archaeological service in Valencia, while the caves are left to fall apart. Sr Aparicio warns that the caves, which contain some of the world's best examples of cave painting and artefacts from daily life in prehistoric Europe. Just recently, an etching discovered in Navarra in 1933 was deciphered to have been the world's oldest map. Yet many of Valencia's fine prehistoric heritage has no protection at all, and is in danger of being wiped out by acts of theft and vandalism.

A large amount of Spain's prehistoric heritage faces destruction

Caves in danger of damage include the Parpalló de Gandia, Cova del Barranc Blanc de Rótova, Cova de Llop de Gandia, Penya Roja de Rótova, Montgó de Dénia and Mallaetes de Barx. Some of the caves' artwork dates back to between 10,000 and 30,000 BC. Items at La Penya Roja date back to between 25,000 and 50,000 BC - and people are thought to have inhabited the area at least 500,000 years ago. Caves across the world are galleries for some of the best examples of prehistoric artwork. Spain itself is home to the famous Altamira Caves, while other great places to see man's first forays into the art world include Dunhuang in China; Niaux and Lascaux in France; and the stunning Cave of Hands in Argentina.

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