Squeezing into this tight passage was worth it. I found a number of cave symbols here.


Cave Hunting “I hate this cave,” my guide, Gustavo, says. “Deep mud and very small.” We’re standing at the mouth of a cave in


northern Spain. It’s a dark slit in the hillside. Almost 40,000 years ago, people lived on this land. We know they were here from the


evidence they leſt behind. Stone tools and animal bones have been found on sites scattered across Northern Europe. T ere are burial grounds, and of course, caves. Many caves were decorated with art. T e paintings and engravings give us clues about the culture and beliefs of these ancient people.


I want a glimpse into this world. I follow


Gustavo into the cave. T e chamber is about 6 meters wide. T e fl oor is muddy, but I’ve seen worse. I spot a small, low opening at the back


wall. “Gustavo, is this where we’re going?” I ask. “Yes,” he answers. “Much of the cave is like that.” Gustavo leads the way by backing into


the opening, lowering his legs into the tight space. He wriggles downward and soon disappears. Aſt er a few minutes, he calls to let me know he’s at the bottom. Now it’s my turn.


Genevieve Von Petzinger is a paleoanthropologist. She studies our human ancestors using fossils and other remains.


18 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORER


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24