Cova dels Cavalls
(7000 ac - 4500 ac)Cova dels Cavalls is likely the best known rock art site of Levantine art. The extraordinary hunting scene of a herd of deer has been used to illustrate prehistoric life in the whole world. Unfortunately, many figures of this shelter was plundered shortly after its discovery. One of them was recovered by Museum of Cervera and is currently exhibited at Museum of Valltorta. This shelter is located in the middle part of Valltorta gorge, close to Les Estabigues boulder. Erosion and weathering of calcareous rocks have formed a rough and rugged landscape where mountain peaks, plateaus and deep ravines can be distinguished.
Visit Plan
Daily guided visits are organized by Museum of Valltorta, at 12:00 AM. Additional information in: Museum of Valltorta, Pla de l'Hom, s/n, 12179 Tírig, Castellón. Phone: 964 33 60 10.
How to Arrive
To arrive to the Museum of Valltorta, from Tírig take CV-130 road towards Albocàsser. Take CV-131 road in the second exit at a roundabout towards Les Coves de Vinromà. After around 700 m take a right turn towards the Museum.
Visitable
Yes
Difficulty
Easy
Discoverer
1917. Albert Roda.
Locality
Province
Orientation
West
Altitude
450 m
Style
Number of Panels
2
Number of Figures
58
Dimensions
9m x 4m
Geology
Calcareous. Marls and micrites of Lower Cretacic. Facies Upper Bedoulian
Graphic documentation
Technique: Gigapixel panoramic imaging
Description:
Panoramic view of the surrounding landscape to Cova dels Cavalls, including Les Estabigues outcrop and Valltorta Gorge.
Technique: Gigapixel panoramic imaging
Description:
Panoramic view of Valltorta Gorge where Cova dels Cavalls is located hanging on a cliff.
Technique: Photogrammetry
Description:
Photogrammetric 3D model of the entire site of Cova dels Cavalls
Technique: Photogrammetry
Description:
Photogrammetric detail 3D model of right hand area of Cova dels Cavalls, including the hunting scene of deer, real color.
Technique: Photogrammetry
Description:
Photogrammetric detail 3D model of left hand area of Cova dels Cavalls, real color.
Technique: Photogrammetry
Description:
Photogrammetric detail 3D model of right hand area of Cova dels Cavalls, with texture enhanced by DStretch to improve visibility of paintings.
Technique: Photogrammetry
Description:
Photogrammetric detail 3D model of left hand area of Cova dels Cavalls, with texture enhanced by DStretch to improve visibility of paintings.
Technique: Gigapixel panoramic imaging
Description:
This area of the shelter was vandalised shortly after its discovery. Nowadays, several archers can be seen that took part in some of the disappeared hunting scenes. One of them should be highlighted because it was painted between two flowstone columns, very likely simulating he was hiding. Other remarkable pictograph is a huge archer whose body and legs were filled with stripes.
Technique: Gigapixel panoramic imaging
Description:
In this area is preserved the well-known hunting scene of a herd of deer by a large group of archers of Levantine style. Twelve deer of different ages took part in this scene, together with at least ten archers of several stylistic features. There are other group of animals as well. The Archer of La Valltorta comes from this area as well; it is currently exhibited in the Museum of Valltorta. This gigapixel image was made with LED polarised lighting to enhance visibility of paintings.
Technique: Image analysis
Description:
Gigapixel image of left hand area of Cova dels Cavalls, enhanced by DStretch software to improve visibility of paintings.
Technique: Polarised photography
Description:
Gigapixel image of right hand area of Cova dels Cavalls, enhanced by DStretch software to improve visibility of paintings.