The cave art of the Mediterranean (1998)

Unesco


These sites in the Mediterranean Arc of the Iberian Peninsula (Spain), and their cave art, which dates from the end of the pre-historic period, constitute an exceptional set of works and provide a fascinating insight into how people lived during what was a critical phase of human development. The lively, graphic representations are unique not only on account of their style, buy also because of the themes that they portray. The set of cave paintings from the end of the pre-historic period located in the Spain’s eastern Mediterranean arc forms the largest group of cave art locations in the whole of Europe, and offers an exceptional perspective of the live of man in an essential period of human cultural evolution.

In total 16 of Lleida’s archaeological sites have been recognised by UNESCO as depositories of cave paintings of great value. They are important because they represent both one of the first artistic manifestations of the primitive Mediterranean civilisation and because they constitute an embryonic form of later plastic art forms.
This distinction has been granted to remains found in Western Catalonia (Spain) that include La Roca dels Moros del Cogul, one of the best conserved pieces of cave art, which provides an excellent example of the art that developed in this territory during the Palaeolithic period. It also includes the Cova de Cogulló, at Vilanova de Meià; the Cova dels Vilasos, at Os de Balaguer, and the cave art of the Vall de la Coma and the Balma dels Punts, both at L'Albi. Elements with very unique characteristics can also be seen at the Roc del Rumbau at Peramola or in the Abrics of La Granja d'Escarp, which were found as a result of mining prospecting. Other sites include the Abric de la Vall d'Ingla, at Bellver de Cerdanya; the Roques Guàrdies, at Les Borges Blanques; the Aparets, at Alòs de Balaguer; the Cova d'Antona, at Artesa de Segre; the Balma del Pantà and Cova del Tabac, at Camarasa; the Balma de les Ovelles, at Tremp, and the cave paintings of Alfés. All of these sites are top level, cultural heritage sites on a world scale that can be found in the comarques (local districts) of Lleida (Spain).

 

Information provided by:

Departament de Cultura de la Generalitat de Catalunya
 

 

The Aparets caves

Contact information:

 

 

The Aparets caves

Departament de Cultura de la Generalitat de Catalunya - Serveis Territorials de Lleida - Rambla d''Aragó, 8
25002, Lleida
Web: http://cultura.gencat.cat/
973279200

 

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  • Unesco

     

    These caves are located on the right bank of the river Segre, near Rubió, on scarp land belonging to the sierra of Mosquera (Spain). They are about 50 m above the level of the river, where there are a series of cavities and shelters. Paintings have been identified in four of these caves.
     
    The group consists of four cavities containing paintings: the first two –which are difficult to get to- are genuine concavities, while the other two –which are more easily accessible- are shallower walls that offer little protection. In all, 18 figures have been identified.
     
    Aparets I
    This is a 2.4 m wide cavity, is 4.10 m deep and 3.60 m high and runs towards the SW. The paintings are located in the central area, at the back of the cavity. It is only possible to clearly identify two figures with a schematic ramiform drawn with a simple stroke technique and some remains of pigment. Both figures are red in colour.
     
    Aparets II
    Going on another 10 metres to the right, there is a second concavity containing pictures. This has a very particular form: there is a type of straight platform that ends in a rounded vault which contains the most unique figure. Eight different figures have been identified on the two sides, two encircled elements (one of which has protuberances), lines, ramiforms and remains of pigment. The style employed is schematic, the technique consists of simple strokes and there are different colours (red, reddish chestnut-red, pink, reddish-orange and black).
     
    Aparets III
    This site is 16 m to the right of Aparets II and about 10 m to the left of Aparets IV. Five anthropomorphic figures have been identified and also remains of pigment: the style is schematic. The technique employed is that of simple strokes and the predominant colour is red, although there are also remains of reddish-chestnut pigment.
     
    Aparets IV
    The last of the shelters is located about 10 m to the right of Aparets III, though at a lower level. It is also a small concavity that offers little shelter and houses three painted elements corresponding to an anthropomorphic form and remains of pigment. The style is schematic, the technique used is that of simple strokes and the colours are red and reddish-orange