Испанийн зүүн хэсэгт орших Кова Донес агуйгаас эртний хүмүүсийн хөндлөнгөөс оролцсон 100 гаруй чулуун байгууламж олдсон нь түүхэн дэх чухал нээлт боллоо.
Аликанте болон Сарагосагийн их сургуулийн судлаачид тус агуйд эртний хүмүүс байгалийн тогтоц болох сталагмитуудыг зориудаар хөдөлгөж, хугалж, дахин байрлуулсныг тогтоожээ. Энэхүү олдвор нь Францын Сен-Марсель агуйн дараа орох дэлхийн хоёр дахь томоохон агуйн өөрчлөлтөд тооцогдож байна. Эртний хүмүүс агуйг зүгээр нэг орогнох байр бус, зориудаар өөрчилж, орон зайг зохион байгуулж байсныг энэ нь баталж байна.
Эдгээр бүтцийг яг ямар зорилгоор ашиглаж байсан нь одоогоор тодорхойгүй байгаа бөгөөд судлаачид тэдгээрийг орон зайг тусгаарлах эсвэл зан үйлийн зориулалтаар ашигласан байж болзошгүй хэмээн таамаглаж байна. Эрдэмтэд хугарсан сталагмитуудын орой дээр тогтсон кальцийн карбонатын давхаргыг шинжлэх замаар эдгээр хөндлөнгийн оролцоог эртний үед хамаарах болохыг тогтоосон бөгөөд цаашид нарийвчилсан судалгааг үргэлжлүүлж байна.
Кова Донес агуй нь өмнө нь ч олон чухал олдвороор алдаршсан газар юм. Тухайлбал, 2023 онд тус агуйгаас 24,000 жилийн тэртээх 100 гаруй хадны сүг зураг, сийлбэр олдсон нь Иберийн хойгийн зүүн эрэг дэх хамгийн том олдвор болсон билээ. Мөн агуйн гүнээс Ромын эзэнт гүрний үеийн Клавдий хааны зоос болон бичээс бүхий 1,900 жилийн настай сүм илэрсэн нь тус газар олон мянган жилийн турш хүн төрөлхтний үйл ажиллагааны төв байсныг гэрчилж байна.
Дэлгэрэнгүйг эх сурвалжаас харах
↓Эх сурвалжийг нээх ↓
Archaeologists have uncovered more than 100 prehistoric structures hidden inside Cova Dones, a cave in Spain where ancient humans reshaped natural stalagmites. The discovery shows that prehistoric communities were actively modifying underground spaces thousands of years ago.
Located near Millares in eastern Spain, Cova Dones has quickly become one of the most remarkable prehistoric cave sites known today. Researchers from the University of Alicante and the University of Zaragoza identified more than 100 speleofacts, created when prehistoric people broke, moved, and rearranged stalagmites inside the cave.
The research team said the discovery places Cova Dones as the second most important site in the world for this type of prehistoric underground modification, behind the French cave of Saint-Marcel. The findings suggest that ancient humans were not simply exploring the cave but deliberately changing parts of it.
The reason behind these structures remains uncertain. Some may have been used to organize spaces or create boundaries, while others could have had a symbolic or ritual purpose. Researchers are continuing to study the cave to understand why these modifications were made.
A Cave Landscape Changed By Prehistoric Humans
The newly identified structures were created through direct changes to the cave’s natural formations. Archaeologists found evidence that prehistoric groups fractured, displaced, and regrouped sections of stalagmites to create new shapes and arrangements.
In a statement, published by The University of Alicante, the researchers described the discovery as “convincing evidence of the planned occupation of the underground environment by prehistoric societies.” The structures show that prehistoric communities had a clear intention when modifying the cave rather than leaving accidental traces behind.
Some of the patterns found inside Cova Dones are difficult to explain. Certain formations appear to mark specific areas, but scientists have not yet determined whether the structures were linked to daily activities, planning inside the cave, or possible rituals. The team is continuing its work to better understand how these structures were organized and what they reveal about prehistoric life underground.
Mineral Layers Help Reveal When The Structures Were Created
To estimate the age of the modifications, researchers studied calcium carbonate regrowth that formed over broken areas of the stalagmites. These mineral deposits developed after the formations were altered, giving scientists clues about when the changes took place. The research team explained that:
“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.”
Moore studies will be carried out to determine a more precise timeline for the underground modifications. Understanding the age of the speleofacts will help researchers connect them with other discoveries made at Cova Dones. The cave has already revealed evidence of human activity from several different periods.
Roman Secrets Hidden in an Ancient Cave
The discovery of the speleofacts adds to a growing list of archaeological finds at Cova Dones. In 2023, a study published in Antiquity revealed that the cave contained the largest collection of Paleolithic rock art on the eastern Mediterranean coast of the Iberian Peninsula.
Researchers documented more than 100 paintings and engravings dating back around 24,000 years. The artwork was found in three areas of the cave, including locations about 1,300 feet from the entrance, and showed at least 19 animals. The drawings included horses, deer, aurochs, and a stag. Scientists dated the artwork by comparing it with cave bear claw marks found on the walls. Since cave bears disappeared around 24,000 years ago, the marks helped establish the approximate age of the paintings.
The cave also contains evidence from a much later period. Archaeologists discovered a Roman sanctuary in a chamber around 650 feet from the entrance, with inscriptions and a coin linked to Emperor Claudius. The remains date back around 1,900 years. With many areas of Cova Dones still unexplored, the cave continues to reveal traces of how humans used and transformed underground spaces throughout history.
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