Prehistoric Copper Working Traces Discovered at 2,235 Meters in the Pyrenees

Archaeological Deep Analysis

Located in the high elevations of the Pyrenees mountain range, which stretches along the border between Spain and France, Cave 338 is described by archaeologists as a difficult and extremely cold site to access.¹ Excavations at this site, situated at 2,235 meters above sea level, have revealed a human finger bone, a tooth attributed to a child at least 11 years old, charred wood fragments, simple personal ornaments, and numerous green mineral fragments that were crushed and deliberately burned.¹² The presence of 23 distinct hearth structures suggests that the cave was not used as a one-time shelter, but rather repeatedly over an extended period.¹ Researchers indicate that the green stones were collected from the surrounding area and transported into the cave, where they were processed with fire.¹² According to the findings reported in the study, this material is interpreted as a mineral associated with copper production. Thermal alteration marks are evident on a significant portion of the stone fragments, while no such burning is observed on other materials from the same context. The study’s archaeometallurgy specialists emphasize that the burning was intentional, not accidental. The human remains discovered at the site raise further questions about the cave’s function. While the tooth is confirmed to belong to a child of at least 11 years of age, it remains uncertain whether it originated from the same individual as the finger bone. A pendant tip made from a marine shell and a drilled bear tooth found in the same stratigraphic layer are interpreted as personal adornments, providing valuable data for comparative analysis with other settlements in the region. Researchers suggest that the cave may have also served as a burial or commemorative site, though this interpretation remains tentative. According to scientists, Cave 338 currently represents the highest-elevation cave in the Pyrenees with confirmed continuous prehistoric use, based on current data. Only approximately 6 square meters of the excavation site have been exposed so far, and the research team aims to better understand both the potential stages of copper production and burial practices through further investigation of deeper stratigraphic levels. The findings indicate that the cave was visited repeatedly over a long time span, albeit in short to medium-term mountain expeditions.

Critical Discoveries

• The cave is located at 2,235 meters above sea level and features 23 distinct hearth structures, indicating prolonged and repeated use.
• Numerous green mineral fragments, crushed and burned, were found, with possible links to copper production.
• A tooth from a child at least 11 years old, a human finger bone, and two pendant tips made from shell and bear tooth were recovered. These findings suggest the cave may have also functioned as a burial or ritual site.

Historical Context and Connections to the Past

The prehistoric use of mountainous regions has long been considered a secondary research focus in archaeology. High-altitude areas such as the Pyrenees have typically been viewed as transit corridors or temporary stopover points, with regular and planned use being less commonly recognized.¹² The dense concentration of hearth features, fire-treated mineral fragments, and personal artifacts uncovered at Cave 338 present a new case that challenges this prevailing perspective.¹ The findings associated with copper production offer a significant comparative reference point for understanding the earliest stages of metallurgy in Europe. The indication of use spanning thousands of years suggests that mountain ecosystems were not only linked to hunting or seasonal pastoral movements, but also to the exploitation of mineral resources.

Archaeologist’s Note

The data recovered from Cave 338 provide a compelling example of how high-altitude areas could be systematically and multi-purposefully utilized by prehistoric communities.¹² The presence of a production activity linked to mining, alongside multiple hearths, human remains, and personal ornaments, suggests that this mountain camp may have served both economic and ritual functions. However, the nature of the relationship between these functions and how they evolved over time remain unclear based on current evidence. The fact that only a small portion of the excavation site has been exposed implies that future discoveries may strengthen or revise current interpretations. Particularly, the characteristics of the green mineral, the specific stage of the copper production process occurring at the site, and the relationship between human remains and site activities are central topics of ongoing research. As such, Cave 338 is becoming a closely monitored site in both high-altitude archaeology and early metallurgy studies.

References and Further Reading

• [1] Strange Green Stones And a Child's Tooth Deepen a Pyrenees Mystery : ScienceAlert. sciencealert.com. Go to Original Source
• [2] ‘They weren’t burned by accident’: burned stone, child’s bones, and lost jewelry could reveal prehistoric mining camp high in the Pyrenees. frontiersin.org. Go to Original Source
• [3] [PDF] Interpreting Prehistoric Figurines: Cognitive and Theoretical Perspectives. nek.istanbul.edu.tr (Further reading). Go to Original Source
• [4] Green Rock and Fire at 2,235 Meters: Cave 338 and the Prehistoric Logic of the High Pyrenees. anthropology.net (Further reading). Go to Original Source
• [5] A child's tooth and strange green stones uncover a ... - ScienceDaily. sciencedaily.com (Further reading). Go to Original Source
• [6] Mysterious Green Rocks Discovered in a Remote Cave in Spain Might Be Signs of Prehistoric People Working With Copper. smithsonianmag.com (Further reading). Go to Original Source