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Cave of Nerja

Spain · Europe
Prehistoric cave art at Cave of Nerja© Fernando · CC BY-SA 4.0
Notable

If dating holds, its seals are the oldest art on Earth — made by Neanderthals

Age
~42,000 yrs
Period
Possibly pre–Homo sapiens
Setting
Cave
Art form
Paintings
Discovered
1959
Status
Open (Art Area Restricted)
⧗ See it on the timeline

If U-Th dating is confirmed, Nerja's seal paintings would rank among the oldest art on Earth — possibly created by Neanderthals, predating the arrival of modern humans in Europe by tens of thousands of years.

Gallery

Notable Features

  • ◦ Possibly Neanderthal Art
  • ◦ Seal Paintings
  • ◦ Massive Cave Formations

Depicted Subjects

SealsHorsesGeometric Signs

Plan a Visit

AccessThis cave can be visited.
Sources & Further Reading
≡ Wikipedia➤ Directions
Hours & prices change — always confirm on the official site before travelling.
Photographs via Wikimedia Commons — image credits. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.