Pozo Shelter. Monigotes Cave

Los Abrigos del Pozo or Monigotes Cave, shelter located in the Northwest side of Sierra del Molino (Calasparra), is right next to an Almadenes canyon rocky rank, on the right bank of the Segura river, 4 meters above average water level.

 

The shelter, which has excellent living conditions, is 30 meters long, 9 meters deep and 4 meters high, with a total surface area of 283 m². To date, only 8% has been dug out.

 

Some 8000 years ago, Epipalaeolithic groups began inhabiting this shelter, using natural resources for food, harvesting fruits, fishing in the river and hunting rabbits, goats and birds. They collected pine tree branches to make fire, warm up and cook food. They carved sharp marble and silex utensils and used ornaments such as sea shells obtained in exchanges with other coastal communities.

 

Cave art, together with the occupation of this shelter, was the most relevant aspect of this archaeological site.

The reddish schematic paintings are distributed with a total of 40 motives, including human and animal representations, as well as other signs difficult to interpret (notes taken from information panels).

 

Access to the shelter is only allowed when participating in tours organized by the town hall. You could also hire one of the rafting canyon descents, organized by tourism companies which usually stop at the shelter.

See the document Descent of Almadenes Canyon