The Cova Eirós (Triacastela) fieldwork uncovers a second Paleolithic hearth
The excavation has revealed more than a thousand lithic and faunal remains, as well as a new hearth linked to Neanderthal occupations
The latest excavation campaign at Cova Eirós, located in Cancelo (Triacastela, Lugo), has uncovered more than a thousand archaeological and paleontological remains, along with a second hearth from the Middle Paleolithic, identified by the presence of charcoal and burnt bones. This is the second combustion area documented in the cave, following the one discovered in 2011.
According to the excavation’s co-directors, Dr. Arturo de Lombera (University of Oviedo) and Dr. Xosé Pedro Rodríguez (URV and IPHES-CERCA), the new hearth displays a clear structure, with several cobbles arranged around the fire and heavily altered by heat. Numerous scattered charcoal fragments and burnt bones were also found, which may correspond either to animals consumed by Neanderthals or to bones used as fuel or discarded refuse.
This season, only half of the hearth was excavated; the remaining area will be addressed in future campaigns. The material comes from Level 4 of the site, corresponding to the Middle Paleolithic, where long-term occupations had already been documented. “We know that Neanderthals used the cave as a seasonal camp, probably for several months during spring and summer,” the researchers explain.
Faunal remains and lithic tools
In addition to the hearth, archaeologists recovered more than a thousand artifacts, including lithic tools made of quartz and quartzite, as well as faunal remains such as deer bones, cave bear remains, and a fragment of rhinoceros molar.
Work was also carried out in Level 5 of the cave, with an estimated chronology of 45,000 to 50,000 years. In this case, material remains are much scarcer, suggesting shorter and more sporadic occupations, possibly linked to hunting expeditions.
Prospections at Gruta dos Bloques and outreach activities
The team also conducted investigations at Gruta dos Bloques, where no Paleolithic material has yet been identified, although a bone of ancient appearance was recovered and awaits confirmation.
The campaign involved 22 participants and lasted three weeks. In parallel, several outreach activities were held in Cancelo and Triacastela, including a public lecture, the pre-screening of a documentary, and a virtual reality experience within the Galiverso project of the Xunta de Galicia.
In the coming months, the recovered material will be analyzed in the laboratory with the support of the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, which funds the research and publications related to the site.