Catalonia cave discovery reveals 280 Paleolithic engravings

Archaeologists have identified 280 Paleolithic engravings within the Cova de la Font Major cave system in Catalonia, Spain. The discovery, published in the journal Antiquity, includes 55 depictions of animals such as horses, deer, goats, cattle, and bears, alongside various geometric shapes and abstract lines.

Although the engravings were initially identified in 2019 during research led by Josep Maria Verdes Bosch, they remained unnoticed by visitors for decades. The motifs were difficult to detect under direct lighting, becoming visible only when light is directed at specific angles. The site is now considered the third largest concentration of Ice Age cave art on the Mediterranean side of the Iberian Peninsula.

The find challenges previous assumptions regarding the scarcity of prehistoric cave art in northeastern Spain. Experts note that the artistic style in Font Major differs from the well-known Franco-Cantabrian tradition, suggesting a distinct local artistic practice. The cave system, which spans over 3.5 kilometers, has been open to the public since the 1950s.