Ancient Pyrenees Cave Shows Evidence of Early Copper Mining, Child Remains

Archaeologists have discovered evidence in a high-altitude cave in the eastern Pyrenees that suggests early copper mining and repeated prehistoric expeditions. The cave, located over 7,300 feet above sea level, contains numerous ancient hearths. These hearths hold fragments of a green mineral, possibly malachite, which is rich in copper.

This discovery challenges previous assumptions that prehistoric communities only made brief visits to high-altitude areas. The findings indicate that people returned to this remote site over approximately 2,000 years. Researchers also found a child's finger bone and a baby tooth, suggesting the cave may have been a burial site. These human remains were found in the third layer of excavation, dating between 5,500 and 4,000 years ago.

Known as Cave 338, the site in the Freser Valley revealed four distinct layers of human activity. The second and third layers contained 23 hearths with crushed and burned fragments of the green mineral. The thermal alteration of these fragments suggests deliberate processing, possibly for copper extraction. The hearths often overlap, indicating repeated visits over long periods rather than continuous occupation.

Other artifacts recovered include two pendants, one made from a shell and another from a brown bear tooth. These items date to prehistoric contexts, likely around the second millennium BC. The shell pendant has parallels with other sites in Catalonia, suggesting connections between ancient communities. Further excavations are planned to determine the exact identity of the green mineral and to explore deeper into the site.