Researchers have identified more than 100 prehistoric constructions concealed within Cova Dones, a cave in Spain where ancient humans manipulated natural stalagmites. This revelation highlights how early communities actively transformed subterranean environments millennia ago.
Situated near Millares in eastern Spain, Cova Dones is emerging as one of the most significant prehistoric cave locations today. Experts from the University of Alicante and the University of Zaragoza cataloged over 100 speleofacts, formed when early inhabitants broke, shifted, and rearranged stalagmites inside this space.
The team noted that this find ranks Cova Dones as the second most prominent site worldwide for prehistoric cave modifications, surpassed only by the Saint-Marcel cave in France. These results imply that ancient people intentionally altered the cave’s interior, rather than merely exploring it.
The exact purpose behind these constructions is yet to be determined. Some could have served to define areas or organize space, while others might have had ritualistic or symbolic significance. Ongoing research aims to clarify the motivations for these alterations.
Prehistoric Humans Reshaped the Cave Environment
The newly found formations resulted from direct manipulation of the cave’s natural features. Archaeologists uncovered signs that early humans broke apart, moved, and reassembled fragments of stalagmites to craft novel configurations.
In an official release from The University of Alicante, the investigators called the discovery “clear proof of prehistoric groups’ deliberate use of underground spaces.” The structures suggest intentional design rather than accidental alteration by early cave visitors.
Several of the discovered arrangements remain puzzling. Some appear to signal designated zones, but researchers have not yet concluded if these patterns relate to routine functions, spatial management, or ritual activity. Continued examination seeks to unravel how these changes reveal prehistoric lifestyles below ground.
Dating the Modifications Through Mineral Growth
To approximate when the alterations occurred, the team analyzed calcium carbonate deposits redeposited on fractured stalagmite surfaces. These mineral layers formed after the stones were reshaped, providing clues about the timing of human interference. The researchers stated:
“The presence of calcite overgrowths on certain fractures allows us to attribute these interventions, at least partially, to prehistoric periods—a hypothesis that will be confirmed by a multidisciplinary study currently underway.”
Further investigations will refine the timeline of these underground modifications. Pinpointing the age of the speleofacts will help link them to other artifacts found at Cova Dones, a cave already known for displaying human presence across diverse eras.
Roman Era Discoveries Enrich the Ancient Cave’s Story
The identification of speleofacts complements earlier archaeological discoveries at Cova Dones. In 2023, research published in Antiquity revealed that this cave hosts the largest collection of Paleolithic rock art on the eastern Mediterranean coast of the Iberian Peninsula.
Over 100 paintings and engravings, estimated to be approximately 24,000 years old, were discovered in three parts of the cave, including sites nearly 1,300 feet from the entrance. The depictions include horses, deer, aurochs, and a stag. The team dated the artwork by comparing it with cave bear claw marks found nearby, which disappear from the region around the same time.
The cave also offers evidence from a much later chapter. Archaeologists uncovered a Roman shrine within a chamber roughly 650 feet inward, featuring inscriptions and a coin tied to Emperor Claudius. This discovery dates back about 1,900 years. With large sections of Cova Dones still unexplored, the site continues to illuminate how humans have shaped subterranean realms throughout history.
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