In 1995, a team of Spanish archaeologists discovered a hidden cave in the south of La Garma hill, Cantabria province, Spain. This is not just an ordinary cave but also described as a special “time capsule”, preserving the evolutionary history of humanity for more than 16,000 years.
As soon as the first archaeological team entered, they discovered a large space, about 5 square meters, naturally preserved for 16,700 years by a landslide last century. The vital remains of the Magdalenian people have helped researchers visualize their life and culture realistically.
At the center of this space, an ancient hearth and the remains of a small group of hunter-gatherers were found. Experts also discovered some fossilized cave lion toe bones, which showed signs of stone tool impact. This suggests that humans may have played an important role in the extinction of cave lions.
In addition, more than 4,614 other artifacts have been recorded, including horse bones, cow bones, flints, harpoons, shells, and torches. The cave’s wall and ceiling paintings are outlined with more than 500 illustrations, which stand out for their originality when colored.
The La Garma cave complex is not only a cultural treasure but also a scientific heritage. Researchers spent two years analyzing the artifacts and concluded that this is where 300,000 years of human evolutionary history is stored. Using non-invasive techniques, the team created 3D maps, ground tomography, molecular analysis and mass spectrometry to preserve the integrity of the cave complex.
Given the importance of this discovery, La Garma cave was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In the future, it is expected that the ancient habitat of this cave dweller will be recreated and displayed at the Cantabria Stone Art center in Puente Viesgo, an important step to preserve and share with future generations. about the secrets of the past.
* Source: Ancient Origins, Fundacionpalarq