Cave of Altamira and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain World Heritage Site

Official name: Cave of Altamira and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain | UNESCO
Country: Spain | Map
Continent: Europe
Location: Santillana del Mar, Province and Autonomous Community of Cantabria
43.3825° Lat, -4.1161° Lon | Map
Code: 310
Time Zone: Europe/Madrid (CET, +0100)
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Category: Cultural
Description: Inscribed 1985. Seventeen decorated caves of the Paleolithic age were inscribed as an extension to the Altamira Cave, inscribed in 1985. The property will now appear on the List as Cave of Altamira and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain. The property represents the apogee of Paleolithic cave art that developed across Europe, from the Urals to the Iberian Peninusula, from 35,000 to 11,000 BC. Because of their deep galleries, isolated from external climatic influences, these caves are particularly well preserved. The caves are inscribed as masterpieces of creative genius and as the humanity’s earliest accomplished art. They are also inscribed as exceptional testimonies to a cultural tradition and as outstanding illustrations of a significant stage in human history.