Sima de las Palomas open days
THE SIMA de las Palomas archaeological site at Cabezo Gordo in the municipality of Torre Pacheco is opened to the public twice a year.
This year there will be open-door days on March 1 and August 2.
The ongoing excavations at the site, which take place every summer, have revealed the most important Neanderthal remains in the Spanish Mediterranean and the second most important human fossil site on the Iberian Peninsula – after Atapuerca.
The aim of the open-door day initiatives is to show visitors the wealth of knowledge and finds that have been discovered at the hands of archaeologists working at the site.
Cabezo Gordo is a protected landscape of great paleontological, biotic, scenic and cultural interest.
During the day people will visit the Cueva del Agua (water cave), where they can view a large mining gallery and a natural lake containing water filtered through the mountain.
They will also enter the interior of the Sima de las Palomas, where they will be transported back more than 50,000 years to discover the origins of the site, in addition to learning more about the Neanderthal people who once inhabited the space.
Additionally there will be a visit to the site interpretation centre at the Cueva del Pie del Gigante (giant’s foot cave), where people will be able to learn more about Neanderthal Man.
Photographers will also be able to participate in a photography competition entitled El Cabezo Gordo, descúbrelo (Cabezo Gordo, discover it).
Torre Pacheco mayor Antonio León highlighted the ‘importance of bringing the Sima de las Palomas and its finds closer to society, thus putting a value on the importance of the site, which is one of the most important on the Iberian Peninsula, as far as Neanderthal remains are concerned’.
The March 1 day runs from 09.0014.00 and previous registration through the www.murciaturistica.es website is essential.
The visit, which is in Spanish and lasts around one hour, costs €3.
It is recommended that visitors bring a torch.