Gruta da Furninha | |
Alternative name | Dominique's cave |
---|---|
Coordinates | 39°21′21″N 9°24′4″W / 39.35583°N 9.40111°W |
Furninha, also known as Dominique's cave, is a natural cave on the southern slope of the Peniche peninsula in Portugal. The cave is situated on the cliffs between the Peniche Fortress and the Cape Carvoeiro. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] The cave is located furthest west of any Neanderthal site. Neanderthals became extinct over 40,000 years ago. [6] [7] [8] The cave was also inhabited by modern humans during the Neolithic. [9] [10] [11]
Furninha was explored by Nery Delgado at the end of the 19th century. [12] [13] Delgado demonstrated the caves' history of habitation by Neanderthals. [14] Delgado's excavation revealed the existence of animal occupation during the Lower Paleolithic , Neanderthal presence during the Middle Paleolithic, and the presence of Homo sapiens at the end of Chalcolithic. [15] [16] Delgado also reports the practice of anthropophagy by the Neanderthals of Furninha who, despite the proximity of the sea, were mainly hunters. [17] [18] The collection of remains gathered by Delgado was deposited in a Lisbon museum. [19]
Observation of a number of photographs from Furninha reveals the existence of a thin film of flora. This flora is believed to be in close relation with fungi, and displays intense colors of green, yellow and red zones. [20] [21]
The walls of the cave are covered with nutrients generated by the mixing of rain waters dropping through the vent of the vault with droplets of seawater entering the cave. [22]
Gruta da Furninha | |
Alternative name | Dominique's cave |
---|---|
Coordinates | 39°21′21″N 9°24′4″W / 39.35583°N 9.40111°W |
Furninha, also known as Dominique's cave, is a natural cave on the southern slope of the Peniche peninsula in Portugal. The cave is situated on the cliffs between the Peniche Fortress and the Cape Carvoeiro. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] The cave is located furthest west of any Neanderthal site. Neanderthals became extinct over 40,000 years ago. [6] [7] [8] The cave was also inhabited by modern humans during the Neolithic. [9] [10] [11]
Furninha was explored by Nery Delgado at the end of the 19th century. [12] [13] Delgado demonstrated the caves' history of habitation by Neanderthals. [14] Delgado's excavation revealed the existence of animal occupation during the Lower Paleolithic , Neanderthal presence during the Middle Paleolithic, and the presence of Homo sapiens at the end of Chalcolithic. [15] [16] Delgado also reports the practice of anthropophagy by the Neanderthals of Furninha who, despite the proximity of the sea, were mainly hunters. [17] [18] The collection of remains gathered by Delgado was deposited in a Lisbon museum. [19]
Observation of a number of photographs from Furninha reveals the existence of a thin film of flora. This flora is believed to be in close relation with fungi, and displays intense colors of green, yellow and red zones. [20] [21]
The walls of the cave are covered with nutrients generated by the mixing of rain waters dropping through the vent of the vault with droplets of seawater entering the cave. [22]