Grotta di Fumane
Italy · Europe
Houses the 'Shaman,' one of the oldest painted figures in Europe, on a fallen cave roof stone.
Age
~35,000 yrs
Period
Aurignacian
Setting
Cave
Art form
Paintings
Discovered
1964
Status
Open (Guided Tours by Reservation)
An incredibly rich archaeological site near Verona that provided shelter to both Neanderthals and early modern humans. Among the debris, excavators found stones that had detached from the cave ceiling roughly 35,000 years ago. Painted on these stones in red ochre is a mysterious figure wearing a horned headdress, commonly referred to as the 'Shaman,' marking some of the earliest figurative painting in Europe.
Gallery
Notable Features
- ◦ The 'Shaman' figure on painted rock
- ◦ Among the oldest paintings in Europe
- ◦ Rich Neanderthal to modern human stratigraphy
Depicted Subjects
Therianthrope / ShamanAnimalsAbstract Red Marks
Plan a Visit
AccessThis cave can be visited.
BookingAdvance booking required — places are limited
Sources & Further Reading
Hours & prices change — always confirm on the official site before travelling.
Photographs via Wikimedia Commons — image credits. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.