Cave of Altamira

Cueva de Altamira

#1 in Santillana del Mar / #210 in Spain

by Yvon Fruneau

/ CC BY-SA 3.0 igo

The Cave of Altamira in Santillana del Mar, Spain, is renowned for its prehistoric cave paintings dating back to the Upper Paleolithic period. Discovered in 1868 by a local hunter and later brought to international attention by amateur archaeologist Marcelino Sanz de Sautuola in 1879, the cave features stunning depictions of bison, horses, and handprints created by early humans using natural pigments. These artworks are considered some of the finest examples of Paleolithic art, offering invaluable insights into the lives and cultures of our prehistoric ancestors.

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