<P> Archaeological excavations in the cave floor found rich deposits of artifacts from the Upper Solutrean ( c. 18,500 years ago ) and Lower Magdalenian ( between c. 16,590 and 14,000 years ago ) . Both periods belong to the Paleolithic or Old Stone Age . In the millennia between these two occupations , the cave was evidently inhabited only by wild animals . Human occupants of the site were well - positioned to take advantage of the rich wildlife that grazed in the valleys of the surrounding mountains as well as the marine life available in nearby coastal areas . Around 13,000 years ago a rockfall sealed the cave 's entrance , preserving its contents until its eventual discovery , which occurred after a nearby tree fell and disturbed the fallen rocks . </P>
<P> Archaeological excavations in the cave floor found rich deposits of artifacts from the Upper Solutrean ( c. 18,500 years ago ) and Lower Magdalenian ( between c. 16,590 and 14,000 years ago ) . Both periods belong to the Paleolithic or Old Stone Age . In the millennia between these two occupations , the cave was evidently inhabited only by wild animals . Human occupants of the site were well - positioned to take advantage of the rich wildlife that grazed in the valleys of the surrounding mountains as well as the marine life available in nearby coastal areas . Around 13,000 years ago a rockfall sealed the cave 's entrance , preserving its contents until its eventual discovery , which occurred after a nearby tree fell and disturbed the fallen rocks . </P>
who created the cave paintings of altamira spain
who created the cave paintings of altamira spain
Human occupants of the site
Human occupants of the site