{"id":4300,"date":"2015-12-29T12:42:58","date_gmt":"2015-12-29T12:42:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/visitatavernes.es\/bolomor-cave\/"},"modified":"2026-05-21T08:42:57","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T08:42:57","slug":"history-of-cova-del-bolomor","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.visitatavernes.es\/en\/history-of-cova-del-bolomor\/","title":{"rendered":"History of Cova del Bolomor cave"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"4300\" class=\"elementor elementor-4300 elementor-168\" wpc-filter-elementor-widget=\"1\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-68e4f02 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"68e4f02\" data-element_type=\"section\" 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href=\"#moreideas\">More ideas<\/a>\r\n  <\/aside>\r\n\r\n  <div class=\"wrap\">\r\n    <section class=\"intro\" id=\"top\">\r\n      <div class=\"intro-grid\">\r\n        <article class=\"intro-text\">\r\n          <span class=\"eyebrow\">Prehistory \u00b7 Heritage \u00b7 Tavernes<\/span>\r\n          <h1 id=\"vt-bolomor-title-en\">Oldest known human settlement in Valencian lands.<\/h1>\r\n          <p><strong>Cova del Bolomor cave<\/strong>, located in the <strong>municipality of Tavernes de la Valldigna<\/strong>, is one of the <strong>most important archaeological sites in the western Mediterranean<\/strong> and a key location for understanding <strong>human evolution in Europe during the Middle Pleistocene<\/strong>. This rock shelter, situated on the eastern slope of the Bolomor ravine, overlooking the Valldigna Valley, was occupied by human groups <strong>more than 350,000 years ago<\/strong>, making it one of the oldest testimonies of <strong>human presence in the Valencian Community<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n          <p>Its importance lies not only in its antiquity but also in the <strong>extraordinary preservation of its archaeological sequence<\/strong>. With <strong>17 documented stratigraphic levels<\/strong>, the site preserves a continuous sequence spanning <strong>more than 500,000 years of climatic, environmental, and human history<\/strong>. This continuity allows researchers to reconstruct how the landscape, climate, and human communities evolved in the Mediterranean over hundreds of thousands of years.<\/p>\r\n          <p>Today, Cova del Bolomor Cave is an <strong>international scientific reference<\/strong> and one of the most outstanding <strong>prehistoric heritage sites in the Valencian region<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n        <\/article>\r\n\r\n        <div class=\"intro-media\">\r\n          <figure>\r\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitatavernes.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/DJI_0768-scaled.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\r\n              <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitatavernes.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/DJI_0768-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Cova del Bolomor cave in Tavernes de la Valldigna with an aerial view of the archaeological surroundings and the Valldigna Valley\">\r\n            <\/a>\r\n            <figcaption>Aerial view of the surroundings of Cova del Bolomor cave and the Valldigna Valley.<\/figcaption>\r\n          <\/figure>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/section>\r\n\r\n    <section class=\"section\" id=\"discovery\">\r\n      <div class=\"discover-grid\">\r\n        <div class=\"timeline-col\">\r\n          <figure>\r\n            <a class=\"image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.visitatavernes.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/Cronologia-castellano.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\r\n              <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitatavernes.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/Cronologia-castellano.jpg\" alt=\"Chronology of Cova del Bolomor cave and the evolution of the prehistoric landscape of the Valldigna Valley\">\r\n            <\/a>\r\n            <figcaption>Chronology of the landscape and surroundings of Cova del Bolomor cave at different moments in prehistory.<\/figcaption>\r\n          <\/figure>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n\r\n        <article class=\"discover-text text-box\">\r\n          <span class=\"small-label\">History of the site<\/span>\r\n          <h2>History of the site\u2019s discovery<\/h2>\r\n          <p>Scientific interest in Cova del Bolomor cave began in <strong>1867<\/strong>, when the geologist <strong>Juan Vilanova y Piera<\/strong> and his disciple <strong>Eduardo Bosc\u00e0<\/strong> identified fossil remains and stone tools inside the cavity that evidenced the presence of prehistoric humans. This discovery made the site one of the <strong>first recognized Paleolithic sites in the Valencian Community<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n          <p>For decades, the cave was known among local inhabitants as the <strong>\u201cMoorish cemetery\u201d<\/strong>, fueling local legends that led to clandestine excavations in search of supposed treasures. Later, at the beginning of the 20th century, European and Spanish researchers continued to visit the site and collect materials that confirmed its archaeological importance.<\/p>\r\n          <p>Part of the site suffered damage in the mid-20th century due to <strong>mining activities<\/strong> that destroyed some of the archaeological sediments. Despite this, the preserved areas allowed a <strong>new period of scientific research<\/strong> to begin.<\/p>\r\n          <p>Systematic excavations started in <strong>1989<\/strong> under the direction of the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/mupreva.org\/web_mupreva\/yacimientos\/?id=4802&amp;q=es\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Prehistoric Research Service of the Museum of Prehistory of Valencia<\/a><\/strong>. Since then, investigations have recovered <strong>thousands of archaeological remains<\/strong> and reconstructed one of the <strong>most complete records of the Mediterranean Paleolithic<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n        <\/article>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/section>\r\n\r\n    <section class=\"visual-only\" aria-label=\"Stratigraphic profile\">\r\n      <figure>\r\n        <a class=\"image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.visitatavernes.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Figura-5.Perfil-estratogra%CC%80fic-1200x700_c.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\r\n          <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitatavernes.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Figura-5.Perfil-estratogra%CC%80fic-1200x700_c.jpg\" alt=\"Stratigraphic profile of Cova del Bolomor cave with the archaeological sequence of the site\">\r\n        <\/a>\r\n        <figcaption>Stratigraphic profile of the site, key to understanding the long sequence of human and environmental occupation.<\/figcaption>\r\n      <\/figure>\r\n    <\/section>\r\n\r\n    <section class=\"section\" id=\"paleolithic\">\r\n      <div class=\"section-head\">\r\n        <span class=\"small-label\">European Paleolithic<\/span>\r\n        <h2>An exceptional site of the European Paleolithic<\/h2>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"split-alt reverse\">\r\n        <div class=\"media\">\r\n          <figure>\r\n            <a class=\"image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.visitatavernes.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/RESTES-HUMANES-DEL-BOLOMOR.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\r\n              <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitatavernes.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/RESTES-HUMANES-DEL-BOLOMOR.jpg\" alt=\"Human remains found in Cova del Bolomor cave attributed to the Neanderthal lineage\">\r\n            <\/a>\r\n            <figcaption>Human remains found in Cova del Bolomor cave, attributed to the Neanderthal lineage.<\/figcaption>\r\n          <\/figure>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n        <article class=\"text text-box\">\r\n          <p>Cova del Bolomor cave stands out for its <strong>extraordinary archaeological richness<\/strong>. Inside, researchers have documented <strong>stone tools, faunal remains, microfauna, pollen, and other elements<\/strong> that allow the reconstruction of how the human groups who inhabited this place lived.<\/p>\r\n          <p>Among the most significant finds are <strong>human remains attributed to the Neanderthal lineage<\/strong>, including <strong>children\u2019s teeth and bone fragments<\/strong> belonging to several individuals.<\/p>\r\n          <p>One of the most important discoveries at the site is the presence of <strong>hearths or combustion structures<\/strong>, demonstrating the <strong>controlled use of fire around 250,000 years ago<\/strong>. These findings place Bolomor among the <strong>oldest sites in southern Europe<\/strong> where this practice has been clearly documented.<\/p>\r\n          <p>The study of the lithic industry shows that Bolomor\u2019s inhabitants made tools mainly using <strong>flint, limestone, and quartzite<\/strong>, materials obtained from the nearby environment.<\/p>\r\n        <\/article>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n\r\n      <div class=\"gallery\">\r\n        <figure>\r\n          <a class=\"image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.visitatavernes.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/PARIETAL-NEANDERTAL-COVA-BOLOMOR.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\r\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitatavernes.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/PARIETAL-NEANDERTAL-COVA-BOLOMOR.jpg\" alt=\"Neanderthal parietal fragment documented at Cova del Bolomor cave\">\r\n          <\/a>\r\n          <figcaption>Neanderthal parietal fragment documented at the site.<\/figcaption>\r\n        <\/figure>\r\n        <figure>\r\n          <a class=\"image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.visitatavernes.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/MAXILAR-DE-MACACO-COVA-BOLOMOR-1.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\r\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitatavernes.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/MAXILAR-DE-MACACO-COVA-BOLOMOR-1.jpg\" alt=\"Macaque maxilla found in Cova del Bolomor cave as evidence of the prehistoric ecosystem\">\r\n          <\/a>\r\n          <figcaption>Macaque maxilla recovered at Cova del Bolomor cave, a testimony to the prehistoric ecosystem of the site.<\/figcaption>\r\n        <\/figure>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/section>\r\n\r\n    <section class=\"section\" id=\"landscape\">\r\n      <div class=\"section-head\">\r\n        <span class=\"small-label\">Prehistoric landscape<\/span>\r\n        <h2>The prehistoric landscape of the Valldigna Valley<\/h2>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"split-alt\">\r\n        <div class=\"media\">\r\n          <figure>\r\n            <a class=\"image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.visitatavernes.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Figura-9.Fauna-de-la-Cova-1200x700_c.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\r\n              <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitatavernes.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Figura-9.Fauna-de-la-Cova-1200x700_c.jpg\" alt=\"Fauna documented in Cova del Bolomor cave during the Pleistocene\">\r\n            <\/a>\r\n            <figcaption>Faunal assemblage documented in Cova del Bolomor cave.<\/figcaption>\r\n          <\/figure>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n        <article class=\"text text-box\">\r\n          <p>During the <strong>Pleistocene<\/strong>, the landscape surrounding the cave was very different from today. <strong>Climatic fluctuations<\/strong> caused changes in sea level and vegetation, alternating <strong>cold and dry periods<\/strong> with <strong>warmer and wetter phases<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n          <p>At different times, the <strong>Valldigna Valley<\/strong> was occupied by <strong>lakes and wetlands<\/strong> that attracted numerous animal species. Among the documented fauna are <strong>horses, deer, large bovids<\/strong>, and even <strong>rhinoceroses, elephants or hippopotamuses<\/strong> during warmer periods.<\/p>\r\n          <p>The <strong>elevated position of the cave<\/strong> allowed human groups to visually control the territory and access different natural resources, which explains its <strong>repeated occupation for thousands of years<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n        <\/article>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n\r\n      <div class=\"gallery\">\r\n        <figure>\r\n          <a class=\"image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.visitatavernes.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/RESTES-HIPOPOTAM-COVA-BOLOMOR.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\r\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitatavernes.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/RESTES-HIPOPOTAM-COVA-BOLOMOR.jpg\" alt=\"Hippopotamus remains found in Cova del Bolomor cave associated with warmer climatic phases\">\r\n          <\/a>\r\n          <figcaption>Hippopotamus remains found in Cova del Bolomor cave, associated with warmer climatic phases.<\/figcaption>\r\n        <\/figure>\r\n        <figure>\r\n          <a class=\"image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.visitatavernes.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/MANDIBULA-DELEFANT-INFANTIL-COVA-BOLOMOR.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\r\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitatavernes.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/MANDIBULA-DELEFANT-INFANTIL-COVA-BOLOMOR.jpg\" alt=\"Juvenile elephant mandible found in Cova del Bolomor cave\">\r\n          <\/a>\r\n          <figcaption>Juvenile elephant mandible recovered at the site, showing the faunal diversity of the environment.<\/figcaption>\r\n        <\/figure>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/section>\r\n\r\n    <section class=\"section\" id=\"research\">\r\n      <div class=\"section-head\">\r\n        <span class=\"small-label\">Research<\/span>\r\n        <h2>Research and archaeological excavations<\/h2>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"split-alt reverse\">\r\n        <div class=\"media\">\r\n          <figure>\r\n            <a class=\"image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.visitatavernes.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/COVA-BOLOMOR.VISTA-EXTERIOR-1200x700_c.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\r\n              <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitatavernes.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/COVA-BOLOMOR.VISTA-EXTERIOR-1200x700_c.jpg\" alt=\"Exterior view of Cova del Bolomor cave in Tavernes de la Valldigna\">\r\n            <\/a>\r\n            <figcaption>Exterior view of Cova del Bolomor cave, a major archaeological site in Tavernes de la Valldigna.<\/figcaption>\r\n          <\/figure>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n        <article class=\"text text-box\">\r\n          <p>Since the <strong>late 20th century<\/strong>, Cova del Bolomor cave has become an <strong>important center for archaeological research<\/strong>. The work carried out has made it possible to apply <strong>modern analytical techniques<\/strong> and has provided essential information about <strong>climate evolution<\/strong>, <strong>Neanderthal subsistence strategies<\/strong>, and the <strong>organization of human camps<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n          <p>Research continues today, making the site a <strong>living scientific project<\/strong> that continues to provide relevant data for understanding <strong>European prehistory<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n          <p>Visitors can learn about the <strong>archaeological importance of the site<\/strong> in the <strong>History of Cova del Bolomor cave<\/strong>, or discover how to experience the site today in the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitatavernes.es\/en\/visit-cova-del-bolomor\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Visit Cova del Bolomor cave section<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n        <\/article>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/section>\r\n\r\n    <section class=\"section\" id=\"moreideas\">\r\n      <div class=\"section-box\">\r\n        <div class=\"section-head\">\r\n          <h2>More ideas to continue discovering Tavernes de la Valldigna<\/h2>\r\n          <p class=\"lead\">Combine the city, heritage, history and travel plans to complete your visit to Tavernes de la Valldigna.<\/p>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n\r\n        <div class=\"link-grid\">\r\n          <article class=\"link-card\">\r\n            <figure class=\"link-thumb lightboxable\">\r\n              <img src=\"https:\/\/www.visitatavernes.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/img-008.jpg\" alt=\"Ideas to discover things to do in Tavernes\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\">\r\n            <\/figure>\r\n            <div class=\"link-card-body\">\r\n              <h3>Things to do in Tavernes<\/h3>\r\n              <p>The main page to discover experiences, plans and ways to visit the municipality.<\/p>\r\n              <a class=\"button-link primary\" href=\"https:\/\/www.visitatavernes.es\/en\/things-to-do-in-tavernes\/\">See things to do<\/a>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n          <\/article>\r\n\r\n          <article class=\"link-card\">\r\n            <figure class=\"link-thumb lightboxable\">\r\n              <img src=\"https:\/\/www.visitatavernes.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/img-005.jpg\" alt=\"Travel planner for Tavernes de la Valldigna\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\">\r\n            <\/figure>\r\n            <div class=\"link-card-body\">\r\n              <h3>Travel planner<\/h3>\r\n              <p>A tool to combine heritage, beach, nature, gastronomy and other plans.<\/p>\r\n              <a class=\"button-link primary\" href=\"https:\/\/www.visitatavernes.es\/en\/travel-planner-for-tavernes\/\">Plan your visit<\/a>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n          <\/article>\r\n\r\n          <article class=\"link-card\">\r\n            <figure class=\"link-thumb lightboxable\">\r\n              <img src=\"https:\/\/www.visitatavernes.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/01-clot-de-la-font-portada.jpg\" alt=\"Nature and routes in Tavernes de la Valldigna\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\">\r\n            <\/figure>\r\n            <div class=\"link-card-body\">\r\n              <h3>Nature and routes in Tavernes<\/h3>\r\n              <p>A gateway to routes, hiking and natural spaces in Tavernes.<\/p>\r\n              <a class=\"button-link primary\" href=\"https:\/\/www.visitatavernes.es\/en\/nature-and-routes-in-tavernes\/\">See nature<\/a>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n          <\/article>\r\n\r\n          <article class=\"link-card\">\r\n            <figure class=\"link-thumb lightboxable\">\r\n              <img src=\"https:\/\/www.visitatavernes.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/DSC08186-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Beaches of Tavernes de la Valldigna\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\">\r\n            <\/figure>\r\n            <div class=\"link-card-body\">\r\n              <h3>Tavernes beaches<\/h3>\r\n              <p>The coastline completes the experience with beach, dunes, walks and Mediterranean atmosphere.<\/p>\r\n              <a class=\"button-link primary\" href=\"https:\/\/www.visitatavernes.es\/en\/tavernes-beaches\/\">See beaches<\/a>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n          <\/article>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/section>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/section>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Quick guide Discovery, Paleolithic, landscape, research and visit Discovery European Paleolithic Prehistoric landscape Research More ideas Prehistory \u00b7 Heritage \u00b7 Tavernes Oldest known human settlement in Valencian lands. Cova del Bolomor cave, located in the municipality of Tavernes de la Valldigna, is one of the most important archaeological sites in the western Mediterranean and a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-4300","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"root","author_link":"https:\/\/www.visitatavernes.es\/en\/author\/root\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":" <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitatavernes.es\/?taxonomy=translation_priority&#038;term=opcional\" rel=\"tag\">Opcional<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitatavernes.es\/en\/?taxonomy=translation_priority&#038;term=optional\" rel=\"tag\">Optional<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitatavernes.es\/en\/?taxonomy=translation_priority&#038;term=optional-en\" rel=\"tag\">Optional<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"Quick guide Discovery, Paleolithic, landscape, research and visit Discovery European Paleolithic Prehistoric landscape Research More ideas Prehistory \u00b7 Heritage \u00b7 Tavernes Oldest known human settlement in Valencian lands. Cova del Bolomor cave, located in the municipality of Tavernes de la Valldigna, is one of the most important archaeological sites in the western Mediterranean and a&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitatavernes.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4300","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitatavernes.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitatavernes.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitatavernes.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitatavernes.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4300"}],"version-history":[{"count":74,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitatavernes.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4300\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25165,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitatavernes.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4300\/revisions\/25165"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitatavernes.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4300"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}