An international team of researchers has confirmed through uranium-thorium dating that the iconic hand paintings in Maltravieso Cave, in Cáceres, Spain, could be some of the oldest ever created, possibly by Neanderthals. This discovery establishes this cave as a key site for understanding the origins of human art and its evolution.
The Maltravieso Cave, located in the heart of Extremadura, was rediscovered in 1951 during quarrying operations. Although already known for its remarkable collection of over 60 hand stencils and other engravings, recent studies have allowed for more precise dating of these relics.
Samples of carbonate associated with the paintings were collected from two main areas: the Hall of Paintings and the Snake Gallery. Analyses revealed that the paintings date from the Holocene to the Middle Paleolithic, with minimum ages reaching 66,700 years.
This time range not only challenges the established narrative that cave art in Europe was exclusive to modern humans but also suggests that Neanderthals were capable of creating complex symbolic expressions long before our species arrived on the continent.
The use of U-Th dating techniques has been crucial for determining the age of the paintings. This method is based on measuring uranium and thorium isotopes in the calcite layers that have formed over the paintings, enabling researchers to establish minimum ages without damaging the art itself. In the case of Maltravieso, 22 samples were collected in direct association with the pigments, ensuring a robust and reliable chronology.
The obtained ages range widely, from 0.39 thousand years to over 70 thousand years. This finding positions the Maltravieso paintings as an early example of symbolic art, aligning them with other recent evidence attributing to Neanderthals more advanced cognitive abilities than previously thought.
The hand stencils are Maltravieso’s most notable motif and represent an artistic tradition that seems to have endured for millennia. These figures were created by applying pigment through blowing around a hand placed against the wall, leaving a negative impression. Research has identified that the pigments used were primarily iron oxides like hematite, occasionally mixed with other minerals.
Interestingly, many of these stencils show “missing” fingers, suggesting that the artists deliberately bent certain fingers to create a symbolic or stylistic effect. This practice, far from being random, could be linked to specific rituals or cultural traditions.
The study’s results raise fundamental questions about the nature and purpose of Paleolithic cave art. While some panels are located in visible, accessible areas of the cave, suggesting a collective and participatory character, others are in hidden, hard-to-reach zones, indicating a possible link with rituals or more intimate and spiritual practices.
Maltravieso Cave not only stands out for its rock art but also for the information it provides about past human occupation. From quartz tools associated with the Middle Paleolithic to animal remains evidencing subsistence activities, the site offers a comprehensive picture of prehistoric life.
According to the researchers, the U-Th dating of carbonate crusts covering the painted rock art in Maltravieso Cave indicates that the tradition of hand stenciling in Europe began before the Aurignacian period; a conclusion that aligns with broader chronological data from examples at other sites.
They conclude that together with published dating evidence from sites elsewhere in the world, this suggests that both Neanderthals and modern humans created these enigmatic motifs.
SOURCES
Christopher D. Standish, Paul Pettitt, et al., The age of hand stencils in Maltravieso cave (Extremadura, Spain) established by U-Th dating, and its implications for the early development of art. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, Volume 61, February 2025, 104891. doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2024.104891
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