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  • Researchers have documented over 100 Latin inscriptions in a Spanish cave, marking the largest known concentration in a Roman subterranean sanctuary.
  • Evidence including spindle whorls and specific dedications indicates women played an active role in worshipping a goddess referred to as Domina or Malaci.
  • The site reveals a complex history of use, containing Paleolithic art dating back 24,000 years alongside Iron Age materials and first-century Roman artifacts.

Archaeologists working in the mountainous interior of Valencia, Spain, have reclassified a significant portion of Cova de les Dones as a Roman sanctuary dedicated to female worship. The discovery centers on a chamber located more than 650 feet from the cave entrance, where researchers have identified at least 110 Latin inscriptions etched into the walls and ceilings. This collection represents the largest known concentration of such texts within a Roman cave sanctuary, offering rare insight into religious practices that occurred approximately two millennia ago.

The inscriptions provide specific details about the deity worshipped in this secluded space. Five of the texts are votive offerings dedicated to a goddess respectfully addressed as Domina, or 'the Lady.' Three of these same dedications include the term Malaci, which researchers describe as a previously unknown designation for a divine figure. The exact meaning of this name remains unclear, though scholars are investigating whether it holds a connection to the abundant water sources found within the cave system.

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Physical artifacts recovered from the chamber floor support the interpretation that women were central participants in these rituals. Among the debris, archaeologists found jewelry, ceramic fragments, animal bones, and chalice-shaped vessels. Crucially, the presence of spindle whorls—tools used for spinning thread—aligns with the inscriptional evidence suggesting female involvement. These items may have served as offerings related to textile work, a domain traditionally associated with women in Roman society.

The concentration of these specific dedications in a defined area far from the entrance suggests an organized cult rather than casual visitation. The spatial arrangement implies that this chamber functioned as a dedicated religious space where worshippers engaged in structured rituals. This finding adds nuance to the understanding of Roman religious life, highlighting how women acted not merely as passive observers but as active dedicants and potentially priestesses within certain cults.

Cova de les Dones has long been recognized for its archaeological significance, having yielded Iron Age materials that led to its initial classification as an Iberian cave sanctuary in the 1960s. However, recent investigations have revealed a much deeper timeline of human activity. In 2021, researchers discovered Paleolithic art within the cave, some of which appears to be more than 24,000 years old. This artwork includes depictions of red deer, wild horses, and oxen, created using red clay applied directly to the rock surfaces.

Dating these ancient images has required careful analysis due to the complexity of the site's history. Some marks are difficult to date with absolute certainty, but stylistic clues and geological evidence provide strong indicators. One particular painting was found overlapped by a claw mark from a cave bear, an extinct species that disappeared from Europe around 24,000 years ago. This stratigraphic evidence helps anchor the age of the artwork, confirming its Paleolithic origins despite later mineral deposits that helped preserve some images.

The cave’s modern name, Cova de les Dones, or 'Cave of the Women,' is documented in an 18th-century account by naturalist Antonio José Cavanilles. Researchers suggest this local nomenclature may preserve an ancient memory of the site's association with women or female entities. The continuity of this reference, spanning from potential prehistoric usage through Roman times to modern folklore, underscores the enduring significance of the location in regional cultural history.

Located near the small inland town of Millares, about 40 miles southwest of Valencia, the site continues to yield new information as investigations proceed. The team, led by archaeologists from the University of Zaragoza and the University of Alicante, has methodically recorded graphic units and analyzed material culture to reconstruct the site's multifaceted past. As research continues, scholars aim to clarify the relationship between the different periods of occupation and the specific nature of the cult practices that took place in this remote underground environment.

The findings challenge previous assumptions about the scale and organization of Roman religious activities in cave settings. While caves were often used for various purposes during the Roman period, the sheer volume of inscriptions and the specific nature of the artifacts point to a highly structured devotional practice. The identification of Malaci as a distinct divine figure adds to the pantheon of deities worshipped in Hispania, reflecting the syncretic nature of Roman religion which often incorporated local traditions and figures.

Future work will likely focus on deciphering the remaining inscriptions and further analyzing the chemical composition of the pigments used in the Paleolithic art. Understanding how these different layers of history interact within the same physical space could provide broader insights into how ancient communities perceived and utilized sacred landscapes over thousands of years. The site remains a critical resource for understanding the intersection of prehistoric, Iron Age, and Roman cultural practices in the Iberian Peninsula.

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