The Archaeology of the Matienzo Depression, North Spain

Description

Caving clubs working in Matienzo have made several archaeological finds, but very little systematic archaeological work was carried out until contacts were established in 1994 between the British Caving Expedition to Matienzo and archaeologists trained at the University of Cantabria. The present project covers the late upper Palaeolithic and Mesolithic, the Chalcolithic and Bronze Age, and lron Age. One of its advantages is the opportunity to study an area well known speleologically, yet practically untouched archaeologically. The other is the nature of the valley itself, isolated, with its own scenic and ecological character. The project is limited exclusively to the Matienzo depression, in order to examine the resources available and the uses made of them within a determined area. In addition to digs, materials were collected from the floor surface of other caves, both caves and open-air sites were prospected, and sources of local flint were located.