Cartagena Spain, The impressive Cueva Victoria may open soon for tourist visits

On Saturday 31^st July, the general public have the opportunity to visit the archaeological site of the Cueva Victoria, situated alongside the Mar Menor at Cerro de San Ginés de la Jara, El estrecho de san Gines,  for the first time ever.

Some further open days are being planned for the future, as long term the Council of Cartagena would like to open up this interesting site for tourism visitors.

The site has been under excavation for a considerable number of years, and works to clear some of the debris from the entrance to the caves has been underway during this last year, with structural works undertaken to ensure that visitor safety is carefully examined before allowing members of the public into the caves.

 

It's a very interesting site, as some of the oldest pre-human remains ever found came from these caves, and Palaentologists have been working here for more than 25 years, uncovering vast quantities of fossil remains, including elephants, horses, hyenas, dolphins, and bird species which were not formerly thought to have lived in this area 1.2 million years ago.

The caves were formed by a geological movement nearly 3.5 million years ago, and during the 2 million years following their creation, they gradually filled with accumulated silt, washed in by the rains, creating a unique storehouse of fossils. At around 1.2 million years ago, they were inhabited by a prehistoric species of hyena, a much larger and more powerful animal than their modern descendants, which weighed in at around 120 kilos and had astonishingly powerful jaws. Many of the bones found bear teethmarks, which show that carcasses were dragged into the caves and devoured in this spot, and the huge accumulations and volume of bones found indicate that a considerable number of hyenas lived here over a long period of time.

The pre-human remains found in this cave date back to 1.2 million years ago, which makes them some of the oldest in existence and are believed to have belonged to a now defunct species, homo habilis, a species of human which crossed from Africa via the straits of Gibraltar. Homo habilis is known to have used and made tools, but died out completely as a species.

How the remains came to be in the cave is not known, but it is possible they were washed into the caves in silt deposits, and no evidence has ever been found to indicate that these pre-humans ever actually inhabited these caves.

The caves are enormous, stretching out underground for more than 3.5 kilometres, although many of the long underground galleries are inaccessible for general viewing, and the scientific team working on the site are excited about the possibilities that still lie undiscovered all around them.

Tragically, scientists estimate that 90% of the fossil remains were destroyed by mining activities in the early part of the 20^th century, as their interior is rich in magnesium, a much valued and saleable item, which can still be seen in the walls of the caves today.

It's a fascinating place, and if you'd like to visit, phone 968 506 483 , between 10am and 2pm and 5pm-7pm.

The visits are taking place on Saturday 31^st July between 10am and 1pm and only 10 people per group are allowed into the cave, so if you want to go, RESERVATION IS ESSENTIAL.

We were privileged to visit the site a year ago, if you'd to see more photos, click here

MAP.

The caves are on the right hand side , just before arriving at Estrecho de San Gines. There are likely to be signs on this day. It's a short track from the main road, easily visible.

Click for map, Estrecho de san Gines

 

 

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