Overview
- Researchers published the find on Thursday reporting 280 engraved motifs in Cova de la Font Major, including 55 animal figures such as horses, deer and a rare bear depiction.
- The images were first recognized during a 2019 excavation but went unnoticed for decades despite the cave being open to the public since 1957.
- Analysts used stylistic comparisons, chemical tests to rule out modern forgery, and radiocarbon dating of associated deposits to authenticate the engravings, with dating still being refined.
- Past non‑archaeological modifications, heavy visitation and pervasive modern graffiti damaged wall surfaces and entrance deposits, prompting immediate conservation restrictions and concern from the research team.
- The discovery challenges the idea that Catalonia lacked Paleolithic parietal art, suggests current survey methods may miss Mediterranean sites, and raises the possibility of more hidden galleries behind sediment‑blocked entrances.