It is well known that humans have existed in Cangas de Onís since Paleolithic times, through the excavation work carried out in many caves in the municipality, which give us a rough idea of how they lived.
Buxu Cave
This cave is about two kilometres from Cangas de Onís, in the direction of Covadonga. It is reached by taking a turning to the left, near the village of Cardes.
The cave, which was discovered in 1916, has paintings and tools dating from the Upper Paleolithic Period, around 18,000 years ago. The remains found indicate that the cave was occupied at the beginning of the summer by hunters (probably from the coast) who were experts in hunting deer and goats, and salmon fishers.
Among these remains is a sculpture of a bird, made from a cave bear’s tooth.
In the paintings on the walls, in addition to abstract figures, there are goats carved in the rock or painted in black, two beautiful horses carved in great detail, and a buck.
Conserving the cave paintings in Buxu Cave requires exceptional care. For this reason, ONLY 25 PERSONS ARE ALLOWED TO ENTER EVERY DAY, IN GROUPS OF FIVE.
la Huelga Cave
The cave is about five kilometres south-east of Cangas de Onís, in a valley through which the stream of La Brava flows (near the village of Narmandi).
The waters of this stream have led to the development of a curious karstic system consisting of underground galleries that require special equipment and know-how to be explored.
Groups of hunters once lived here, sheltered by the large rocky overhang formed by the cave mouth, during almost the entire Upper Paleolithic Age.
Archaeological excavations carried out have shown the importance of the “Magdalenense” occupation (around 14,000 years ago). The remains found indicate the existence of experienced deer-hunters at the beginning of the summer season.
Among the remains found are the tips of deer horns, a collection of necklaces made of animal teeth and bones, a deer tibia in which three deer heads are carved and a flute which is the oldest known instrument in the region.
los Azules Cave
This cave is located in Contraquil, near Cangas de Onís. It is formed by a series of small caves cut in the rock opposite the point where the river Güeña flows into the Sella.
The most important finding in this cave is the burial-place of a man, which was dug some 9500 years ago, and is now conserved in the Archaeological Museum of Oviedo. Next to the corpse were several personal objects belonging to primitive local hunters and gatherers and the remains of food, including the shells of seafood brought from the coast.
At present, the cave is closed and CANNOT BE VISITED BY THE PUBLIC.
Remains from the Neolithic Period can be found in the caves of Salamuda, Trespando and Cuélebre, and the dolmens of Santa Cruz and Abamia.
The dolmen of Santa Cruz (the only one that remains) consists of five large stones forming the dolmenic chamber and another two that form the start of the gallery. The most important features are the pictorial decoration and carvings. The dolmens of Abamia have disappeared.
Remains belonging to the Bronze Age have been found in the cave of Cuélebre, in Santianes and Güerañu.
