Almadenes Canyon<\/a>, has unveiled a unique space for the international study of prehistory. Residents of Cieza were presented with the new findings from the cavity, which had remained hidden for thousands of years, at the Capitol Theatre, along with the project team.<\/p>\nThe discovery of this intact site was made in one of the rooms of Cueva del Arco, an archaeological site where the transition between Neanderthals and modern humans has been documented. Cueva del Arco is one of the few sites in the eastern Iberian Peninsula that contains Paleolithic rock art, discovered by the Almadenes Group. In fact, this same site houses the only artistic manifestations of this chronology in the Region of Murcia. The cavity appeared when blocks fell and were covered by Paleolithic sediments.<\/p>\n
"Due to the geological characteristics of the cave, we had suspected for some time that something like this could happen, but it has exceeded all our expectations," says Ignacio Mart\u00edn Lerma, the project's scientific director.<\/p>\n
The presentation ceremony in Cieza, at the Capitol Theater, was led by Joaqu\u00edn Salmer\u00f3n Juan, director of the Historical Heritage Service of the Cieza City Council, who provided initial insights into the Cueva del Arco. The project's co-directors, Ignacio Mart\u00edn Lerma and Didac Rom\u00e1n, highlighted the incredible treasure discovered and the great potential the cave holds.<\/p>\n
"The identification of cave bear claw marks on many of the walls positions the cave as a prime example of a habitat for these large mammals in southern Europe, something truly unique," stated Ignacio Mart\u00edn Lerma, PhD in Prehistory. Didac Rom\u00e1n, also a PhD in Prehistory, wanted to participate in the event through a video projection, as he was unable to attend in person.<\/p>\n
The discovery<\/strong><\/p>\nThe formation of the enclave must have been related to deep flows, possibly thermal, but with no direct connection to the outside world, making it a unique example of the geological evolution of the area's aquifers. The "unique cavity," as described by Jos\u00e9 Mar\u00eda Calaforra, Professor of External Geodynamics at the University of Almer\u00eda, is a "virgin space," undisturbed by human activity, which provides an "unparalleled opportunity for paleoclimatic research and for advancing our understanding of climate change." Stalactitic, "fistulous" speleothems have been found, unparalleled in the world due to their sheer size, with specimens reaching almost 3 meters in length and 1 centimeter in diameter, which have grown in extremely stable conditions for thousands of years, given the cavity's isolation. In the preliminary study of the cave, unusual minerals have been discovered, and possibly some of them new to science: "The initial detection of phosphate minerals in sediments and parietal crusts suggests the presence of complex minerals not yet known, which makes the space an enclave with undoubted scientific potential," Calaforra noted, emphasizing the "need to study and preserve the site, protecting the wonder that has been discovered."<\/p>\n
Pedro R\u00edos, representative of the GECA Group of the Cieza OJE, which is leading the speleological reconnaissance work, has described the kilometer-long dimensions of the galleries which, considering only what has been explored so far, "already make it one of the five largest cavities in the Region of Murcia and the one with the largest volume of rooms in the entire area."<\/p>\n
The mayor of Cieza, Pascual Lucas, highlighted "the potential of the discovery to enhance the natural, historical, and heritage treasure of the Almadenes Canyon. Cieza is Neanderthal territory, and its study will benefit not only regional archaeology but also humanity as a whole."<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Source: Cieza City Council.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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