The Museo Altamira, located in Santillana del Mar, Spain, is dedicated to the famous Altamira Cave, known for its prehistoric cave paintings dating back over 14,000 years. The museum features a detailed replica of the cave, called the Neocave, allowing visitors to experience the stunning Paleolithic art without damaging the fragile original site. It offers exhibitions on early human life and the significance of Altamira’s art in human history.
The bison paintings in the Altamira Cave are among the most iconic and celebrated examples of Paleolithic art. Created around 14,000 to 20,000 years ago, these vivid images were painted using natural pigments like red ochre and charcoal. The bisons are depicted in dynamic poses, often shown lying down or in motion, with remarkable attention to detail and shading that gives them a three-dimensional appearance. These artworks demonstrate the skill and symbolic expression of early humans and are considered masterpieces of Upper Paleolithic cave art. A faithful replica of the bison fresco can be seen in the Neocave at the Museo Altamira.