Grotta dei Puntali

Italy · Europe

Of Interest

A small deer and grazing horses incised in a fossil-rich cave near Palermo

Age

~14,000 yrs

Period

Epigravettian

Setting

Cave

Art form

Petroglyphs

Discovered

1868

Status

Open (Guided Visits by Reservation)

⧗ See it on the timeline

A cave at the foot of Monte Pecoraro near Carini, west of Palermo, celebrated in the 19th century for its dense deposits of dwarf elephant fossils. Fine Upper Paleolithic incisions survive on its walls — a small deer and two grazing equids — visited on guided tours of the protected reserve.

Notable Features

◦ Incised deer and equids
◦ Dwarf elephant fossil beds
◦ Protected nature reserve

Depicted Subjects

HorsesDeer

Plan a Visit

AccessThis cave can be visited.

BookingAdvance booking required — places are limited

Sources & Further Reading

◈ Official site ≡ Wikipedia ➤ Directions

Hours & prices change — always confirm on the official site before travelling.