2025/07/27 by Iñaki Intxaurbe, Diego Gárate Maidagán, Martín Arriolabengoa · 1 voice
Social Sciences · Arts and Humanities · #Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology #Archaeological and Geological Studies
paper · doi:10.1080/00934690.2025.2526916
This study examines human interaction with deep subterranean environments during the Pleistocene, focusing on the Etxeberri Cave. These 16,000 year old expeditions were physically demanding, risky, and required overcoming significant access challenges. Using geomatic methods, geomorphological analysis, and Geographic Information Systems, we reconstructed the Magdalenian pathways, which included sliding down ramps, traversing narrow passages, and climbing vertical sections. Archaeological evidence, preserved in its original context, reveals graphic activities and movements within the cave. Computational analyses enabled digital reconstructions of Palaeolithic artists’ activities. The study highlights the substantial resource investment and cooperation required for these ventures, emphasizing their deep symbolic significance beyond mere survival. Etxeberri Cave exemplifies human resilience in extreme conditions and engagement in profound cultural practices during the Pleistocene.