Hidden prehistoric art discovered in public Spanish cave

Over 280 ancient engravings were discovered inside a Spanish cave open to tourists for decades.

Archaeologists in northeastern Spain uncovered 280 Palaeolithic engravings inside the Cova de la Font Major, a cave accessible to tourists for over 60 years. The vast collection of animal and geometric motifs upends the belief that prehistoric art was rare in Catalonia. This unexpected discovery suggests distinct regional artistic traditions flourished independently during the Ice Age.

• The discoveryResearchers identified 280 separate engravings featuring animals and geometric patterns.
• The backgroundNortheastern Iberia previously accounted for only two known prehistoric art pieces.
• The significanceThe finds indicate unique regional artistic traditions that developed separately from the Franco-Cantabrian area.