Cueva Antón

Cueva Antón is a paleoanthropological site in the Region of Murcia, southeastern Spain, located about 60 km inland from Cartagena near Mula[1]. Eroded by the Río Mula, this Middle Paleolithic cave was inhabited by Neanderthals[1]. The site gained international attention in 2010 when archaeologists discovered a shell at least 43,000 years old with orange pigment adhering to it[1]. This pigment indicated the shell was used for aesthetic or symbolic purposes[1]. Together with similar finds from Cave of Los Aviones, these items were identified as the first Neanderthal jewelry discovered in Europe[1]. This represents the last known Neanderthal occupation site on the Iberian Peninsula[1].