Ancient Cave Art Links Paleolithic Spain and Morocco, Study Reveals

The technological and graphic similarities in caves located in the two countries have been verified by researchers from several Spanish institutions (Universities of Cadiz, Almería, Córdoba, Alcalá de Henares and Granada) and Moroccan institutions (National Institute of Fine Arts of Tetouan, University of Tetouan, Mohammed VI Museum of Rabat and University of Meknes). The results of the research, which lasted more than fifteen years, were published in the journal L’Anthropologie.

"The rock carvings and sculpted pieces over 50,000 years old show such a high level of similarity that it cannot be separated from a phenomenon of human occupation of this region. The connection between the two shores was established much earlier than we thought," the researchers told EFE. For researcher Pedro Cantalejo, the studies of tools, pollen, fauna, sediments or rock art in the caves in Morocco show "accurately" that human occupation occurred at the same time in Spain.

The researchers analyzed in a cave located above a bay known as Marsa (between Ceuta and Tangier), tools and engravings made with the same techniques used in the Ardales caves (Malaga) and Las Ventanas (Granada). For his part, José Ramos, professor of prehistory at the University of Cadiz, pointed out that in addition to the techniques and graphics, similarities have also been observed in the ways of life in these caves on both sides, due to the hunting, gathering and fishing activities carried out by the Neanderthal groups of Morocco and Spain.

The work has made it possible to study up to 126 prehistoric sites in northern Morocco, demonstrating the existence of a colony described as "impressive" by Professor Ramos and which presents great similarities with those in southern Spain.