Santimamiñe

Santimamiñe cave
Entrance to the cave
LocationKortezubi (Biscay), Spain
Coordinates43°20′48″N 2°38′12″W / 43.34667°N 2.63667°W / 43.34667; -2.63667
Official nameSantimamiñe
TypeCultural
Criteriai, iii
Designated1985 (9th session)
Part ofCave of Altamira and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain
Reference no.310-016
RegionEurope and North America
Official nameCueva de Santimamiñe
TypeNon-movable
CriteriaMonument
Designated17 July 1984
Reference no.RI-51-0005165

Santimamiñe cave, Kortezubi, Biscay, Basque Country, Spain, is one of the most important archaeological sites of the Basque Country, including a nearly complete sequence from the Middle Paleolithic to the Iron Age.[1]

Its complete sequence includes the following cultures:

Plus unclassified remains of the Neolithic, Chalcolithic, Bronze and Iron ages.

It is best known for its mural paintings of the Magdalenian period, depicting bisons, horses, goats and deer. It was discovered by children in 1917.[2]

Its excellent location over the Urdaibai estuary was probably most important in its continued habitation, first by Neanderthals and later by Homo sapiens. It is located on the west side of mount Ereñusarre/Ereñozar.[2]

Between 1982 and 1985, local artist Agustín Ibarrola painted on the trees of the nearby Oma forest.

Since 2008, it is one of the caves included as a World Heritage Site within "Cave of Altamira and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain".

References

  1. ^ "Cueva de santimamiñe". Santimamiñe. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
  2. ^ a b Castaño García, Manu. KORTEZUBI (in Spanish). Auñamendi Eusko Entziklopedia. Retrieved 30 September 2024.

See also

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