History Caves of Nerja

cave hyena used cave alongside earliest human inhabitants.

approximately 5 million years ago, during upper miocene, water penetrated fissures of marble rock , dissolved it, forming huge subterranean cavern. seismic movement , landslides during holocene forced water find new pathways through cave system , began formation of giant stalactites , stalagmites can seen in cave.

skeletal remains found in caverns indicate inhabited 25,000 bc until bronze age. cave paintings paleolithic , post-paleolithic eras have been discovered on walls of cave. 4,000 years 25,000 bc caves used seasonally small group of humans, , occupied cave hyena during periods humans absent. 21,000 bc human population had taken year-round residence in caves , had increased in number. culture based on hunting in local area had evolved, illustrated first cave paintings found in cave date around time. pine nuts , snails important elements of diet. until around 10,800 bc hunting culture continued develop more prey species being taken, including goats, rabbits, fish , marine mammals. wide variety of animal bones, shells , fish bones time have been found in cave, including remains of number of offshore species, along stone , bone tools. 4500 bc domesticated animals being kept , area around cave being used farming , production of pottery. 3800 bc textiles , more advanced styles of pottery being produced , parts of cave being used burial chamber.