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Cave art: Etchings hailed as 'Iberia's most spectacular' Cave art: Etchings hailed as 'Iberia's most spectacular'
(35 minutes later)
Cave art dating back up to 14,500 years has been pronounced "the most spectacular and impressive" ever discovered on the Iberian peninsula. Cave art as much as 14,500 years old has been pronounced "the most spectacular and impressive" ever discovered on the Iberian peninsula.
About 50 etchings were found in the Basque town of Lekeitio.About 50 etchings were found in the Basque town of Lekeitio.
They include horses, bison, goats and - in a radical departure from previously discovered Palaeolithic art in the Biscay province - two lions.They include horses, bison, goats and - in a radical departure from previously discovered Palaeolithic art in the Biscay province - two lions.
Some depictions are also much bigger than those found previously - with one horse about 150cm (4ft 11in) long.Some depictions are also much bigger than those found previously - with one horse about 150cm (4ft 11in) long.
"It is a wonder, a treasure of humanity," senior Biscay official Unai Rementeria said."It is a wonder, a treasure of humanity," senior Biscay official Unai Rementeria said.
He was announcing the discovery, which was made in the Armintxe cave in May and has since been investigated by Biscay experts.He was announcing the discovery, which was made in the Armintxe cave in May and has since been investigated by Biscay experts.
The cave was well-known to locals, said reports, but no-one had until then ventured the 50m inside where this latest 15m-long panel of etchings was found.The cave was well-known to locals, said reports, but no-one had until then ventured the 50m inside where this latest 15m-long panel of etchings was found.
Together with two side panels, the depictions comprise some 30 animals along with forms comprising semi-circles and lines - including some "identical" to forms found in the French Pyrenees.Together with two side panels, the depictions comprise some 30 animals along with forms comprising semi-circles and lines - including some "identical" to forms found in the French Pyrenees.
Other similar shared features - including the depictions of lions and the etching technique used - have suggested there could have been links between groups of hunter-gatherers in both areas.Other similar shared features - including the depictions of lions and the etching technique used - have suggested there could have been links between groups of hunter-gatherers in both areas.
The etchings are thought to date from between 12,000 and 14,500 years ago.The etchings are thought to date from between 12,000 and 14,500 years ago.
The cave will not be opened to the public, both due to its inaccessibility and because of the need to preserve the paintings - but authorities say they will use technology to give the public as good a view of the new finds as possible.The cave will not be opened to the public, both due to its inaccessibility and because of the need to preserve the paintings - but authorities say they will use technology to give the public as good a view of the new finds as possible.
Experts will discuss the finds at a special congress at the end of the month.Experts will discuss the finds at a special congress at the end of the month.