Difference between revisions of "Altamira (cave)" - New World Encyclopedia
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The cave is 270 meters long, and consists of a series of twisting passages and chambers. The main passage varies from two to six meters high. The cave was formed through collapses following early [[karst]]ic phenomena in the calcerous rock of [[Mount Vispieres]]. | The cave is 270 meters long, and consists of a series of twisting passages and chambers. The main passage varies from two to six meters high. The cave was formed through collapses following early [[karst]]ic phenomena in the calcerous rock of [[Mount Vispieres]]. | ||
| − | [[Archeology| | + | [[Archeology|Archaeological]] excavations in the cave floor found rich deposits of Upper [[Solutrean]] (dated at c. 18,500 years ago) and Lower [[Magdalenean]] (dated between c. 16,500 and 14,000 years ago) artifacts. The cave was occupied only by wild animals in the long period between these two occupations. It can be assumed that the site was well positioned to take advantage of the rich wildlife that grazed in the valleys of the surrounding mountains as well as permitting the occupants to supplement their diet with food from nearby coastal areas. Around 13,000 years ago a rockfall sealed the cave's entrance preserving its contents until its eventual discovery which was caused by a nearby tree falling and disturbing the fallen rocks. |
Human occupation was limited to the cave mouth although paintings were created throughout the length of the cave. The artists used [[charcoal]] and [[ochre]] or [[haematite]] to create the images, often scratching or diluting these dyes to produce variances in intensity and creating an impression of [[chiaroscuro]]. They also exploited the natural contours in the cave walls to give a three-dimensional effect to their subjects. The ''Polychrome Ceiling'' is the most impressive feature showing a herd of [[bison]] in different poses, two [[horses]], a large [[hind]] and a possible [[wild boar]]. These animals are portrayed in combinations that do not appear in more modern animals of those types. These are pictures of animals without any horizontal or basal reference, as we only view the animals themselves. | Human occupation was limited to the cave mouth although paintings were created throughout the length of the cave. The artists used [[charcoal]] and [[ochre]] or [[haematite]] to create the images, often scratching or diluting these dyes to produce variances in intensity and creating an impression of [[chiaroscuro]]. They also exploited the natural contours in the cave walls to give a three-dimensional effect to their subjects. The ''Polychrome Ceiling'' is the most impressive feature showing a herd of [[bison]] in different poses, two [[horses]], a large [[hind]] and a possible [[wild boar]]. These animals are portrayed in combinations that do not appear in more modern animals of those types. These are pictures of animals without any horizontal or basal reference, as we only view the animals themselves. | ||
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The art dated to the Magdelenean occupation included the art described above as well as abstract shapes. Solutrean images include images of horses, [[goat]]s and handprints created from the artist placing his hand on the cave wall in applying paint over it leaving a negative image of his palm. Numerous other caves in northern Spain contain Palaeolithic art but none is as advanced or well-populated as Altamira. | The art dated to the Magdelenean occupation included the art described above as well as abstract shapes. Solutrean images include images of horses, [[goat]]s and handprints created from the artist placing his hand on the cave wall in applying paint over it leaving a negative image of his palm. Numerous other caves in northern Spain contain Palaeolithic art but none is as advanced or well-populated as Altamira. | ||
| − | It is the only such cave where paintings extend into the area where the occupants lived. The art in these caves is much more developed than those found in similar caves. These people used color, while other caves are only monochrome. This cave does not have the soot that other such caves have, which may indicate that these people were able to secure better materials to illuminate and cook with. The artists also | + | It is the only such cave where paintings extend into the area where the occupants lived. The art in these caves is much more developed than those found in similar caves. These people used color, while other caves are only monochrome. This cave does not have the soot that other such caves have, which may indicate that these people were able to secure better materials to illuminate and cook with. The artists also utilized the face of the rocks into the creation of the painting itself in order to create a more three dimensional feeling in the paintings. This lends the painting a more immediate impact on the viewer than those seen in other caves dated around the same period. |
| − | ==Discovery, excavation, | + | ==Discovery, excavation, skepticism== |
| − | The cave was found by a local hunter, Modesto Peres in 1868. Previously to that, rocks had sealed the cave and helped in its preservation. Around that time, a tree fell and dislodged the rocks, making the cave accessible. | + | The cave was found by a local hunter, Modesto Peres in 1868. Previously to that, rocks had sealed the cave and helped in its preservation. Around that time, a tree fell and dislodged the rocks, making the cave accessible. Everybody knew about the cave, and used it in inclement weather or for resting while hunting, but it wasn't until 1879, Maria, M. de Sautuola daughter turned her father's attention to the images on the ceiling, barely discernible in the darkness. As an amateur archaeologist, [[Marcelino Sanz de Sautuola]] was fascinated. |
| − | The cave was excavated by Sautuola and | + | The cave was excavated by Sautuola and archaeologist Juan Vilanova y Piera from the University of Madrid, resulting in a much acclaimed publication in 1880 which interpreted the paintings as paleolithic in origin. The French specialists, led by [[Gabriel de Mortillet]] and [[Emile Cartailhac]], were particularly adamant in rejecting the hypothesis of Sautuola and Piera, and their findings were loudly ridiculed at the 1880 Prehistorical Congress in [[Lisbon]]. Due to the supreme artistic quality, and the exceptional state of conservation of the paintings, Sautuola was even accused of forgery. A fellow countryman maintained that the paintings had been produced by a contemporary artist, on Sautuola's orders. |
It was not until 1902, when several other findings of prehistoric paintings had served to render the hypothesis of the extreme antiquity of the Altamira-paintings less offensive, that the scientific society retracted their opposition to the Spaniards. That year, Emile Cartailhac emphatically admitted his mistake in the famous article, "Mea culpa d'une sceptique", published in the journal ''L'Anthropologie''. | It was not until 1902, when several other findings of prehistoric paintings had served to render the hypothesis of the extreme antiquity of the Altamira-paintings less offensive, that the scientific society retracted their opposition to the Spaniards. That year, Emile Cartailhac emphatically admitted his mistake in the famous article, "Mea culpa d'une sceptique", published in the journal ''L'Anthropologie''. | ||
| − | Sautuola, having died 14 years earlier, did not live to enjoy the restitution of his | + | Sautuola, having died 14 years earlier, did not live to enjoy the restitution of his Honor. |
Further excavation work on the cave was done by [[Hermilio Alcalde del Río]] in 1902-04, the German [[Hugo Obermaier]] in 1924-25 and finally by [[Joaquín González Echegaray]] in 1981. | Further excavation work on the cave was done by [[Hermilio Alcalde del Río]] in 1902-04, the German [[Hugo Obermaier]] in 1924-25 and finally by [[Joaquín González Echegaray]] in 1981. | ||
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==Legacy== | ==Legacy== | ||
| − | + | Altamira was one of many discoveries that helped reverse our ideas of life in the Paleolithic period. Previously, several attempts had been made to depict these early people as being more non-human than human. Many discoveries of art, and lifestyle helped reverse this image. The caves of Altamira was important in that respect. | |
| − | Modern painters have been influenced by the Altamira cave paintings. After a visit, [[Picasso]] exclaimed "after Altamira, all is decadence". In Spain, images | + | Modern painters have been influenced by the Altamira cave paintings. After a visit, [[Picasso]] exclaimed "after Altamira, all is decadence". In Spain, images similar to those depicted appear in various popular items. Even a rock band ([[Steely Dan]]) wrote a song for the caves, titled "[[The Caves of Altamira.]]" |
==Reference== | ==Reference== | ||
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* Curtis, Gregory. ''The Cave Painters: Probing the Mysteries of the World's First Artists''. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2006 (hardcover, ISBN 1400043484)). | * Curtis, Gregory. ''The Cave Painters: Probing the Mysteries of the World's First Artists''. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2006 (hardcover, ISBN 1400043484)). | ||
* Guthrie, R. Dale. ''The Nature of Prehistoric Art''. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2006 (hardcover, ISBN 0226311260). | * Guthrie, R. Dale. ''The Nature of Prehistoric Art''. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2006 (hardcover, ISBN 0226311260). | ||
| − | * McNeill, William | + | * McNeill, William H. [http://www.nybooks.com/articles/19435 "Secrets of the Cave Paintings"], [http://www.nybooks.com/ ''The New York Review of Books''], Vol. 53, No. 16, October 19, 2006. |
== External links== | == External links== | ||
Revision as of 14:16, 15 March 2007
Altamira (Spanish for 'high view') is a cave in Spain famous for its Upper Paleolithic cave paintings featuring drawings and polychrome rock paintings of wild mammals and human hands. It is located at {{#invoke:Coordinates|coord}}{{#coordinates:43|22|57|N|4|06|58|W|type:landmark | |name= }}, near the town of Santillana del Mar in Cantabria, Spain, 30 km west of the city of Santander. The cave with its paintings has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Description
The cave is 270 meters long, and consists of a series of twisting passages and chambers. The main passage varies from two to six meters high. The cave was formed through collapses following early karstic phenomena in the calcerous rock of Mount Vispieres.
Archaeological excavations in the cave floor found rich deposits of Upper Solutrean (dated at c. 18,500 years ago) and Lower Magdalenean (dated between c. 16,500 and 14,000 years ago) artifacts. The cave was occupied only by wild animals in the long period between these two occupations. It can be assumed that the site was well positioned to take advantage of the rich wildlife that grazed in the valleys of the surrounding mountains as well as permitting the occupants to supplement their diet with food from nearby coastal areas. Around 13,000 years ago a rockfall sealed the cave's entrance preserving its contents until its eventual discovery which was caused by a nearby tree falling and disturbing the fallen rocks.
Human occupation was limited to the cave mouth although paintings were created throughout the length of the cave. The artists used charcoal and ochre or haematite to create the images, often scratching or diluting these dyes to produce variances in intensity and creating an impression of chiaroscuro. They also exploited the natural contours in the cave walls to give a three-dimensional effect to their subjects. The Polychrome Ceiling is the most impressive feature showing a herd of bison in different poses, two horses, a large hind and a possible wild boar. These animals are portrayed in combinations that do not appear in more modern animals of those types. These are pictures of animals without any horizontal or basal reference, as we only view the animals themselves.
The art dated to the Magdelenean occupation included the art described above as well as abstract shapes. Solutrean images include images of horses, goats and handprints created from the artist placing his hand on the cave wall in applying paint over it leaving a negative image of his palm. Numerous other caves in northern Spain contain Palaeolithic art but none is as advanced or well-populated as Altamira.
It is the only such cave where paintings extend into the area where the occupants lived. The art in these caves is much more developed than those found in similar caves. These people used color, while other caves are only monochrome. This cave does not have the soot that other such caves have, which may indicate that these people were able to secure better materials to illuminate and cook with. The artists also utilized the face of the rocks into the creation of the painting itself in order to create a more three dimensional feeling in the paintings. This lends the painting a more immediate impact on the viewer than those seen in other caves dated around the same period.
Discovery, excavation, skepticism
The cave was found by a local hunter, Modesto Peres in 1868. Previously to that, rocks had sealed the cave and helped in its preservation. Around that time, a tree fell and dislodged the rocks, making the cave accessible. Everybody knew about the cave, and used it in inclement weather or for resting while hunting, but it wasn't until 1879, Maria, M. de Sautuola daughter turned her father's attention to the images on the ceiling, barely discernible in the darkness. As an amateur archaeologist, Marcelino Sanz de Sautuola was fascinated.
The cave was excavated by Sautuola and archaeologist Juan Vilanova y Piera from the University of Madrid, resulting in a much acclaimed publication in 1880 which interpreted the paintings as paleolithic in origin. The French specialists, led by Gabriel de Mortillet and Emile Cartailhac, were particularly adamant in rejecting the hypothesis of Sautuola and Piera, and their findings were loudly ridiculed at the 1880 Prehistorical Congress in Lisbon. Due to the supreme artistic quality, and the exceptional state of conservation of the paintings, Sautuola was even accused of forgery. A fellow countryman maintained that the paintings had been produced by a contemporary artist, on Sautuola's orders.
It was not until 1902, when several other findings of prehistoric paintings had served to render the hypothesis of the extreme antiquity of the Altamira-paintings less offensive, that the scientific society retracted their opposition to the Spaniards. That year, Emile Cartailhac emphatically admitted his mistake in the famous article, "Mea culpa d'une sceptique", published in the journal L'Anthropologie.
Sautuola, having died 14 years earlier, did not live to enjoy the restitution of his Honor.
Further excavation work on the cave was done by Hermilio Alcalde del Río in 1902-04, the German Hugo Obermaier in 1924-25 and finally by Joaquín González Echegaray in 1981.
Visitors and replicas
During the 1960s and 1970s, the paintings were being damaged by the damp breath of large numbers of visitors. Altamira was completely closed to the public in 1977, and reopened to limited access in 1982. Very few visitors are allowed in per day, resulting in a three-year waiting list. A replica cave and museum were built nearby and completed in 2001 by Manuel Franquelo and Sven Nebel, reproducing the cave and its art.
The replica allows a more comfortable view of the polychrome paintings of the main hall of the cave, as well as a selection of minor works. It also includes some sculptures of human faces that are not visitable in the real cave.[1]
There are other replicas in the National Archaeological Museum of Spain (Madrid), in the Deutsche Museum in Munich (completed 1964), and in Japan (completed 1993).
Legacy
Altamira was one of many discoveries that helped reverse our ideas of life in the Paleolithic period. Previously, several attempts had been made to depict these early people as being more non-human than human. Many discoveries of art, and lifestyle helped reverse this image. The caves of Altamira was important in that respect.
Modern painters have been influenced by the Altamira cave paintings. After a visit, Picasso exclaimed "after Altamira, all is decadence". In Spain, images similar to those depicted appear in various popular items. Even a rock band (Steely Dan) wrote a song for the caves, titled "The Caves of Altamira."
Reference
- ↑ Travel Advisory; A Modern Copy Of Ancient Masters, The New York Times, 4 November 2001
Bibliography
- Curtis, Gregory. The Cave Painters: Probing the Mysteries of the World's First Artists. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2006 (hardcover, ISBN 1400043484)).
- Guthrie, R. Dale. The Nature of Prehistoric Art. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2006 (hardcover, ISBN 0226311260).
- McNeill, William H. "Secrets of the Cave Paintings", The New York Review of Books, Vol. 53, No. 16, October 19, 2006.
External links
- Altamira Cave National Museum In Spanish and English
- The story of Altamira
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