Archaeologists have found new evidence that the prehistoric Pyrenees communities used a high mountain cave for thousands of years, challenging the idea that ancient people only passed through these harsh alpine zones briefly.
The study, led by Carlos Tornero and published in Frontiers in Environmental Archaeology, focuses on Cave 338 in the eastern Pyrenees. The cave sits 2,235 meters (about 7,333 feet) above sea level near Núria Valley in Girona, Spain. Researchers say it is the highest known prehistoric cave occupation documented in the Pyrenees.
Excavations carried out between 2021 and 2023 revealed a well-preserved archaeological record. The site contained pottery, animal bones, charcoal, stone tools, combustion pits, and hundreds of green mineral fragments. Researchers believe the mineral was likely malachite, a copper-rich stone.
Cave shows repeated ancient visits
Earlier studies of high-altitude Pyrenean sites often pointed to short and low-intensity visits. Many of those sites had thin deposits and limited remains. Cave 338 presents a different picture.
Researchers documented 43 stratigraphic units and 23 pit-like combustion structures in only 6 square meters of excavation. These features suggest repeated use of the same cave space over long periods.
Radiocarbon dating shows several phases of activity. The earliest evidence points to use around 5,000 to 4,360 B.C. The strongest occupation phase dates from about 3,464 to 2,532 B.C. Later activity continued around 1,109 to 890 B.C.
The findings suggest ancient groups returned to the cave across many generations. Researchers point to organized seasonal movement, not accidental or random visits.
Green mineral may be key clue
One of the most unusual discoveries is the large number of green mineral fragments. More than 170 pieces were recovered by hand, while many smaller fragments appeared during water sieving.
The mineral is not naturally present inside the cave. Its angular shape suggests people brought larger pieces into the cave and crushed them there. Researchers believe the material was likely malachite, though chemical studies are still underway.
The mineral fragments appeared in several layers and inside many combustion pits. This pattern suggests the cave may have served as a place for processing the material. The exact purpose remains unclear.
The discovery is important because such intensive use of malachite has not been documented before in this region for these prehistoric periods.
Animal bones and pottery add context
The excavation also uncovered 945 animal remains. Sheep and goat bones were the most common. Researchers also identified remains of pig, dog, hare, and brown bear.
Some bones showed burning, cut marks, and intentional breakage. These signs point to food preparation and consumption at the site.
The team also recovered 333 ceramic fragments. Most were handmade and plain, without decoration. The pottery suggests repeated domestic or task-related activity rather than casual shelter use.
Stone tools were rare. Researchers found only three clearly knapped flakes. This may mean people arrived with finished tools, used them during their stay, and carried them away when they left.
Human remains raise new questions
Researchers also found two human remains: a finger bone and a child’s upper canine tooth. The remains may belong to the same child, estimated to have been about 11.5 years old.
The discovery raises the possibility that Cave 338 may also have held funerary meaning. Other nearby caves in the region have produced evidence of prehistoric burial activity, though at lower altitudes.
Researchers say more excavation is needed before they can confirm whether Cave 338 was used for burial.
A new view of mountain life
The study changes how archaeologists understand prehistoric life in the Pyrenees. It suggests that high mountain zones were not only crossed during travel. They were known, revisited, and used for specific activities.
Cave 338 shows that prehistoric groups had detailed knowledge of alpine routes, resources, and risks. They likely used the cave seasonally, when weather and access allowed.
The Pyrenees themselves also carry a deep mythological past in Greek tradition. Ancient writers linked the mountains to Pyrene, a princess whose tragic story was tied to the hero Hercules. According to later accounts, Hercules named the mountains after her.
Other classical sources, including Diodorus Siculus, offered a different explanation, linking the name to the Greek word for fire. While these accounts are symbolic rather than historical, they show how the Pyrenees captured the imagination of ancient Mediterranean cultures long after the prehistoric communities uncovered at Cave 338 had vanished.
Excavations are expected to continue. Future work will focus on the deeper layers, the source of the green mineral, and the full purpose of the cave.
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