Abric Romaní

About

Abric Romaní, also known as Abric Romaní de Capellades, is an archaeological site with unique and important finds pertaining to Neanderthals. As wooden materials have been preserved, the site provides insight into Neanderthal wood processing, which is unique. The site is located 60 meters above the current level of the Noya river, at an elevation of 300–320 m a.s.l. The site is situated in the municipality of Capellades, approximately 50 km from Barcelona (Spain). The first archaeological artifacts were discovered in 1909 by Amador Romaní, who later named the shelter (it was previously called Balma del Fossar Vell). The site is primarily dated to the Late Middle Paleolithic, from 70,000 to 39,000 years ago (BP), when Neanderthals inhabited the site. The presence of an Aurignacian in the youngest layer, dated to around 39,000 years B.C., indicates that modern humans arrived at the site at that time.

Description: Abric Romaní has a 17-meter thick layer of travertine lying beneath the cliffs known as Cingles d'El Capelló in Catalan, formed by ancient terraces and travertine springs (tuff pits) that cross the coastal mountain range near the town of Capellades. Abric Romaní is a rock...