Archaeologists have unearthed over 100 prehistoric structures, known as speleofacts, within the Cova Dones cave near Millares, Spain. These formations were created by intentionally breaking, displacing, or rearranging stalagmites.
The speleofacts include rings, platforms, staircases, and passageways, implying planned occupation by prehistoric societies. The regrowth of calcite deposits over some structures suggests they are tens of thousands of years old.
This discovery places Cova Dones among the most important archaeological sites worldwide, second only to France's Saint-Marcel cave in the number of speleofacts found. The research team is led by Dr. Aitor Ruiz-Redondo from the University of Zaragoza and the University of Southampton, and Dr. Virginia Barciela from the University of Alicante.
The cave also contains the largest known collection of Paleolithic cave art in eastern Iberia, with over 150 paintings and engravings dating back over 24,000 years. Ongoing research at Cova Dones continues to provide insights into the relationship between prehistoric humans and their environments.