Des-Cubierta Cave (Spain)
The Des-Cubierta cave is part of the complex of paleolithic sites of Pinilla del Valle. It has recently been published as the first possible Neanderthal sanctuary in the journal Nature.Greatest characteristic is the large accumulation of animal skulls processed and deposited by Neanderthals.
It also includes a child burial of a Neanderthal girl.
Excavating the Sanctuary
This video shows the way in which the trophies are found until their restoration. In this case it is the most important piece found, a large rhinoceros skull.Trophy processing
All skulls have the same processing. They were dreamed, the maxilla and mandible were removed and later the brain was removed through a perforation.
Horns
All the skulls belonged to species of herbivores with large horns. In this case it is a deer found in the 2021 excavation.The Collection
These are some of the most important trophies found in Des-Cubierta. Bison, aurochs, deer and rhinos.Microphotogrammetry
Documentation is crucial to avoid losing information throughout the investigation process. This includes performing microphotogrammetry to see the cut marks made during processing.
This is a bison skull in which you can see the cut marks on its nasal bone.Atapuerca (Spain)
Archaeological site of Portalón, Atapuerca.
La Salmedina (Madrid)
Neolithic partial burial. Only the person's head and neck are found, indicating that only the recently decapitated head was buried.