SOUTHERN  ART

The rock art of the south of Spain

(Cadiz, Malaga, Gibraltar, Andalusia, Spain, Europe)

Visit also :

Holiday in Tarifa (Cadiz Andalusia Spain)

The caves and shelters of the south of Andalusia (Spain) have one of the biggest treasures of the European cave paintings. The term the experts give as "Southern Art"(Arte Sureño), presents a wide chronology, which covers a great deal of prehistory: Upper Paleolithic (Stone Age: solutrean, magdalenian), Neolithic, Metallurgy, Copper Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age.

Its statements, painted or engraved on the walls of the rocky cavities are concentrated in the area of the strait: Campo de Gibraltar, La Janda and other nearby areas. 

Produced by groups of hunter-collectors, the first statements of cave paintings in the straits have been dated in the period of the upper paleolithic known as solutrean (solutrense).

MORO CAVE : horses (solutrean)

Its natural art which is represented by engraved and painted pictures in red tones and ocre colours, figures of animals and schematic symbols which we don't really know the meaning of.

The most distinguished statements of this period can be found in the Moro cave (Cueva del Moro) situated in the Tarifa city limits considered to be the most southern sanctuary with most cave art in Europe. There are magníficent equine engraved pictures on its walls and also other figures traced with red pigments.

In agreement to the dating results, it seems that the majority of the southern cave painting art was fulfilled by the end of the Neolithic period and at the very beginning of the metal Age stages. The meaning of the rock art has been subject of various interpretations, and the most accepted hypotesis at present is that we are faced by religious manifestations. 

The Strait of Gibraltar.

Nowadays a great menace is hovering over the future of this artistic and archaeological treasure; deterioration, the results of natural forces, and even more important danger has been added, the damage caused by human actions. 

Damage caused by human actions:
Graffiti paintings covering rock art.
( Cueva de Atlanterra )

Guaranteeing the conservation of this historical artistic rich patrimony is a task for all.  The caves and shelters are declared "Monuments of Cultural Interest" by the Spanish State but its current protection represents serious deficiencies.
.

Upper paleolithic art

Examples: animals (ZOOMORFOS).

<<<<<<

Post paleolithic art

Examples: animals (ZOOMORFOS).

>>>>>>

Post paleolithic art

Examples: human figure (ANTROPOMORFOS).

<<<<<<

Post paleolithic art

Examples: other figures.

>>>>>>