Deep inside a cave in northern Spain, archaeologists have documented a remarkably preserved Ice Age home among more than 4,600 ancient remains, offering a rare glimpse into how prehistoric people lived thousands of years ago.
Researchers recorded the remains during 18 months of work in two structures in the cave’s Lower Gallery. One is a Paleolithic dwelling known as Structure I-A. The other is a natural chamber containing evidence of human activity. The work adds to more than 213,000 artifacts already cataloged at La Garma, one of Europe’s most important prehistoric sites.
Paleolithic dwelling preserves traces of ancient life
Structure I-A covers about 5 square meters (54 square feet) and has a roughly circular layout. It lies beneath a low overhanging roof, with its floor covered by a dense concentration of archaeological remains from the Magdalenian period. Other sites in northern Spain are also revealing details about prehistoric life. Archaeologists recently uncovered thousands of tools and animal bones at a 46,000-year-old Neanderthal camp.
La Garma’s Lower Gallery survived in unusual condition because its original entrance closed around 14,500 cal BC. The closure helped protect prehistoric material left on its surface from later disturbance. The wider cave complex contains 13 archaeological sites and more than 500 examples of prehistoric graphic expression. La Garma became part of a UNESCO World Heritage property in 2008.
Archaeologists have documented an Upper Paleolithic dwelling with more than 4,600 remains inside Spain’s La Garma cave.
The exceptionally preserved site offers a rare glimpse into prehistoric life and holds evidence spanning about 400,000 years. pic.twitter.com/8hhB1Xq0II— Tom Marvolo Riddle (@tom_riddle2025) September 18, 2026
Further research in Spain has similarly provided new evidence about Upper Paleolithic communities. A study of 22,000-year-old ornaments from Llonín Cave revealed long-distance social networks among Ice Age hunter-gatherers.
Researchers document remains without disturbing them
The exceptional preservation at La Garma also makes archaeological work difficult. Researchers aim to leave remains in their original positions rather than repeatedly moving or removing them. The team uses 3D scanning and high-resolution photogrammetry to create detailed digital records. Similar methods have been used to document archaeological structures at other places in Spain.
Researchers have created more than 500 photogrammetric models at La Garma. The digital models allow specialists to study fragile artifacts later without physically returning to them. A Wi-Fi network called Garmanet also connects researchers inside the cave with a field laboratory, allowing several specialists to work with archaeological records at the same time.
La Garma methods reach sites worldwide
The SCOPE research group at the International Institute of Prehistoric Research of Cantabria, or IIIPC, developed the digital system used at La Garma. Researchers have since applied methods developed there to projects in Portugal’s Sado Valley, Brittany in France, Argentine Patagonia and Tanzania.
The team detailed its approach in Advances in Archaeological Practice, published by Cambridge University Press. Carlos García-Noriega, a postdoctoral researcher at the IIIPC, is the study’s lead author. Pablo Arias of the University of Cantabria and Roberto Ontañón, director of the Museum of Prehistory and Archaeology of Cantabria, co-direct archaeological research at La Garma.
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