← Back to the map

Kapova Cave (Shulgan-Tash)

Russia · Europe
Prehistoric cave art at Kapova Cave (Shulgan-Tash)© Элиза Азатовна Мусина · CC BY-SA 4.0
Exceptional

Proved that Paleolithic art was not exclusive to Western Europe.

Age
~19,000 yrs
Period
Paleolithic
Setting
Cave
Art form
Paintings
Discovered
1959
Status
Replica Only (Museum)
⧗ See it on the timeline

Located in the Ural Mountains, this cave shattered the belief that Paleolithic cave art was exclusive to France and Spain when its red ochre mammoths, horses, and rhinos were discovered in 1959. The cave also features an underground river and a dedicated museum replica.

Gallery

Notable Features

  • Red ochre mammoths
  • Geometric signs
  • Underground river Shulgan

Depicted Subjects

MammothsHorsesRhinocerosGeometric Signs

Plan a Visit

AccessThe original is closed — a faithful replica is open.
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.