Archaeologists have made a significant discovery in Spain’s Cova Dones cave, near Valencia, documenting more than 100 drawings and engravings that are believed to be at least 24,000 years old. This find is particularly important because it is one of the few documented Paleolithic cave art sites in Eastern Iberia. The team of archaeologists was surprised by the sheer number of motifs found in the cave, making it the most important Paleolithic rock art site on the eastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula. The unique aspect of this discovery is the use of clay-based painting, a rarely-used technique in Palaeolithic art. The red clay used by the cave occupants was dragged on the walls with their fingers and palms and dried slowly in the humid environment of the cave, preserving the art until today. The researchers hope that this discovery will contribute to a better understanding of cave art in the region and draw attention to the use of clay pigments in other caves.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/archaeologists-discover-more-than-100-ancient-drawings-in-spanish-cave-180982898/