Cueva Antón

#1554 among destinations in Spain

Nature, Cave

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Facts and practical information

Cueva Antón is a paleoanthropological and archeological site in the Region of Murcia of southeast Spain. The cave is located about 60 kilometers from the Mediterranean port city of Cartagena inland in the territory of the municipality of Mula. It was eroded by the Río Mula and served as a cave in the Middle Palaeolithic inhabited by Neanderthals. The cave became internationally known in 2010, after a shell at least 43,000 years old with adhering orange pigment was discovered there. The pigment found was interpreted as evidence that the shell was used "in an aesthetic and probably symbolic" way. The find from the Cueva Antón was published together with similar finds from the Cave of Los Aviones; they were named as the first such Neanderthal jewelry found in Europe. The colonization of the Iberian Peninsula by modern man took place only several thousand years after the creation of the jewelry from the Cueva Antón. This site is the last known place where Neanderthal people resided. ()

Alternative names: Coordinates: 38°3'52"N, 1°29'47"W

Location

MurciaSpain

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Day trips

Cueva Antón – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Mula, Pliego.

1.7 miS
Locality
Mula
44 min walk • In addition to its historical attractions, Mula is also home to a lively cultural scene. The town is famous for its annual Carnival, which is a colorful and lively celebration that features parades, music, and dancing. During the festival, the streets of Mula come...
5.1 miS
Locality
Pliego
132 min walk • One of the main attractions in Pliego is the impressive Castle of Pliego, which dates back to the 15th century. The castle offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside and provides a fascinating insight into the area's medieval past.