Nothing exemplifies this more than the cave paintings at Altamira.
But, above all, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is known for its enormous collection of cave paintings.
Is your curiosity piqued?
Photo:Stock Photosfrom EQRoy/Shutterstock
Read on to discover 6 incredible facts about the revolutionary Altamira cave paintings.
Great Hall of Altamira.
Polychrome reproduction from M. Sanz de Sautuola’s 1880 publication.
Great Hall of Altamira. Polychrome reproduction from M. Sanz de Sautuola’s 1880 publication. (Photo: Public domain viaWikipedia
(Photo: Public domain viaWikipedia
A young girl’s observations helped lead to their discovery.
The caves were first discovered in 1868 by a local hunter named Modest Cubillas.
Once there, he wasnt impressed by what he perceived as senseless symbols.
Photo:Stock Photosfrom EQRoy/Shutterstock
At first, they began unearthing animal bones and small tools.
The Altamira cave paintings were created over the course of 20,000 years.
They would be responsible for the majority of the paintings at Altamira.
Replica of the Altamira cave at the National Museum and Research Center of Altamira. (Photo:Stock Photosfrom EQRoy/Shutterstock)
A later study in 2012 confirmed that there were at least 10,000 years between different paintings in the caves.
Replica of the Altamira cave at the National Museum and Research Center of Altamira.
(Photo:Stock Photosfrom EQRoy/Shutterstock)
Artists had cramped quarters to execute their paintings.
Photo:Stock Photosfrom Jesus de Fuensanta/Shutterstock
This meant that most of the artists had to crouch down as they worked.
The work in this chamber is a combination of engraving and painting.
As the most realistic and sophisticated paintings, these were created by the later Magdalenian culture.
Photo:National Museum and Research Center of Altamira. Public domain via WikiCommons
Photo:Stock Photosfrom Jesus de Fuensanta/Shutterstock
Animals are a dominant subject in the cave paintings.
Impressively, one female deer measures over 6.5 feet.
Photo:National Museum and Research Center of Altamira.
Photo:Stock Photosfrom Jesus de Fuensanta/Shutterstock
Public domain via WikiCommons
Altamira shows an important step forward in the history of art.
Altamira is vital for learning more about daily life in the Paleolithic Period.
They show a realism and sophistication that is unparalleled for the time.
In fact, the best example of art by the Magdalenian is located in Altamira.
The paintings may have been used in religious rituals.
This points to cultures that weren’t only surviving, but thriving.
