Santimamiñe

Santimamiñe cave, Kortezubi, Biscay, Basque Country, Spain, is one of the most important archaeological sites of the Basque Country, including a nearly complete sequence from the Middle Paleolithic to the Iron Age.^[1]

Santimamiñe cave

Entrance to the cave
Location	Kortezubi (Biscay), Spain
Coordinates	43°20′48″N 2°38′12″W
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Official name	Santimamiñe
Type	Cultural
Criteria	i, iii
Designated	1985 (9th session)
Part of	Cave of Altamira and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain
Reference no.	310-016
Region	Europe and North America
Spanish Cultural Heritage
Official name	Cueva de Santimamiñe
Type	Non-movable
Criteria	Monument
Designated	17 July 1984
Reference no.	RI-51-0005165

Its complete sequence includes the following cultures:

• Mousterian
• Chatelperronian
• Aurignacian
• Gravettian
• Solutrean
• Magdalenian
• Azilian

Plus unclassified remains of the Neolithic, Chalcolithic, Bronze and Iron ages.

It is best known for its mural paintings of the Magdalenian period, depicting bisons, horses, goats and deer. It was discovered by children in 1917.^[2]

Its excellent location over the Urdaibai estuary was probably most important in its continued habitation, first by Neanderthals and later by Homo sapiens. It is located on the west side of mount Ereñusarre/Ereñozar.^[2]

Between 1982 and 1985, local artist Agustín Ibarrola painted on the trees of the nearby Oma forest.

Since 2008, it is one of the caves included as a World Heritage Site within "Cave of Altamira and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain".