ABSTRACT
Escoural Cave is a prehistoric site located in Portugal’s Alentejo region. The cave contains evidence of human occupation dating back to the Upper Palaeolithic period, approximately 30,000 years ago. The cave was first discovered in 1963 and the excavations began soon after. Archaeologists found a wealth of artefacts and evidence of human activity, including cave paintings, stone tools, and the remains of animals that were hunted and eaten by the cave’s inhabitants. The cave paintings at Escoural are particularly significant, as they are among the oldest examples of Palaeolithic art in Europe. The paintings and engravings depict animals such as horses, deer, and ibex, as well as abstract symbols. The cave was inhabited by humans for thousands of years, and the artefacts and evidence found there provide valuable insights into prehistoric life in the region. Excavations at Escoural continue to this day, and the site remains an important destination for archaeologists and tourists alike.
This chapter presents some of the histories of the discovery and research carried out over time in the cave and introduces the reader to the new “First-Art project” which aims to renew knowledge regarding the artistic expressions of the cave using new technologies in their documentation, archaeometry characterization, dating and interpretation.
