Escoural Cave
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Escoural Cave is a structure known for its Paleolithic-era parietal art (rock art) and burials, located in the Portuguese municipality of Montemor-O-Novo. This cave is closed to the public.
Geologically, Escoural Cave and the associated archaeological site is located within a marble outcropping, which is itself enclosed within igneous rock. Geographically, the site is located between the Tagus river basins, the Sado River, and the plains region of Alentejo.
Partly sealed by a thick flowstone mantle, the cave is made up of various rooms and galleries. Together these testify to about 50,000 years of history, illustrated by paintings made by those who lived at and visited the site.
The cave's first occupation dates back to the Middle Paleolithic, when groups of Neanderthal hunter-gatherers used the cave as temporary shelter for the practice of hunting. Based on bone evidence within the cave, these groups hunted nearby auroch, deer, and horse. Later, during the Upper Paleolithic period (40000-10000 BC), residents made their mark on the cave. Their influence is evidenced by a rock sanctuary containing paintings of animals contemporary to the Upper Paleolithic period.
