First discovered in 1880 the
Paleolithic art of the Altamira caves was not recognized until 1902. The nature of the artwork discovered in the caves sparked an argument on their authenticity among those of the archaeological community. The main argument was that the nature of the paintings was too advanced to have been produced by prehistoric man. Subsequent excavation work done in 1902 to 1904 by Hermilio Alcalade, in 1924 to 1925 by German Hugo Obermaier and again in 1981 by Joaquin Echegaray has served to quite these disputes.
Dissertation writing on the Altamira caves should also include references to the continuing excavations.
Uranium-thoring dating techniques applied at Altamira place the creation of the cave paintings at 25,000 – 35,000 years ago. Evidence also suggests that some of the charcoal and ochre drawings were completed over a series of years by multiple artists. The drawings created during the Solutrean and Magdalenean Ages depict goats, horses, bison and hand paintings. Though fossilized evidence suggests that only the cave of the mouth was occupied the artwork extends through the various chambers of the Altamira cave. The most popular chamber of all is the
Polichromes Hall. The ceiling of this hall exhibits a spectacular depiction of a herd of bison, horses, a wild boar and a doe. It should be noted in
essay writing on Altamira that the cave’s findings did not just have an archaeological impact; they also influenced a number of artists including Pablo Picasso, inspired a Spanish comic strip as well as a jazz-rock song.
