Recent radiocarbon dating at Sala Queimada, an elusive chamber in Cueva Palomera, located in northern Spain’s Burgos province, reveals that generations of humans frequented this sacred site from the end of the Ice Age to the Iron Age, leaving behind significant artifacts, structures, and offerings.
Sala Queimada at Cueva Palomera, Burgos, Spain. Image credit: Ortega-Martinez et al., doi: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2026.105818.
According to lead author Dr. Ana Isabel Ortega Martínez, a researcher at the Instituto Fernán González, Royal Academy of History and Art of Burgos, “Cueva Palomera serves as the primary entrance to the Ojo Guareña cave system, which houses the majority of the rock art within the region.”
“Sala Queimada is situated on the third floor of the cave, approximately 290 meters from the entrance,” she added.
Accessing this chamber involves navigating a crawl space, which has dimensions of 13 meters wide and only 0.2 meters high.
The recent study involved obtaining 18 new radiocarbon dates from charcoal samples, drawings, and bone remains found throughout Sala Queimada.
The oldest artifacts date back to around 13,700 years ago, indicating the site’s use during the Upper Paleolithic.
The most recent discovery is that of a domestic piglet, whose bones, found in a rocky pool, date back to the Iron Age, approximately 2,100 years ago, suggesting it may have been a ritual offering.
Additionally, evidence indicates repeated visitations during the Neolithic, Chalcolithic, and Bronze Ages.
Importantly, each generation appeared to respect the artwork left by their ancestors, preserving older creations while adding new markings and paintings.
“One notable discovery is a complex structure comprised of two large limestone slabs held upright against each other and supported by smaller stones,” the scientists reported.
“The primary slab, measuring 1.5 meters in length, features a meticulously shaped upper edge that creates a pointed profile resembling animal figures facing the main artwork panel.”
“This slab and its supporting stones show carvings and charcoal marks that indicate significant human activity around the area.”
The structure bears similarities to another Paleolithic slab found in the Tito Bustillo Cave (Ribadesella, Asturias) but is larger in size.
This discovery adds Sala Queimada to an expanding list of prehistoric cave sites across the Iberian Peninsula, where ancient people returned for centuries to what they regarded as sacred locations.
“It’s significant that eight different usage stages were identified in Sala Queimada, making it one of the most challenging and secluded sanctuaries within Cueva Palomera,” noted the authors.
“This indicates that over millennia, humans not only utilized the entrance area as a habitat but also made numerous visits to this intricate underground environment.”
For further details, refer to the findings published in the May 23rd issue of the Journal of Archaeological Science: Report.
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Ana Isabel Ortega-Martinez et al. 2026. Sala Queimada: Another Paleolithic sanctuary in Cueva Palomera, Ojo Guareña (Burgos, Spain). Archaeology Journal: Report 73: 105818; doi: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2026.105818
Source: www.sci.news
