Siega Verde and the open-air rock art of the northern Iberian Peninsula (Spain)

Siega Verde was the third open-air rock art site to be discovered in Iberian Peninsula, even before Côa and controversy that followed discovery. Its practicable size study carried out without any publicity allowed analysis of a new reality would change interpretation Palaeolithic art. From start research, stylistic criteria were used date absence archaeological excavations. Although this has often been criticized, it meant could dated from Leroi-Gourhan’s Style II onwards. Excavations at Fariseu, belonging Portugal, have proved hypothesis archaeologically, as well supporting applicability styles. is good representative open, on rocks by river-bank or prominent hills, but not only form can catalogued art, because there are intermediate forms. These found cave entrances rock-shelters all over especially areas where little evidence known, such southern Mediterranean coast Andalusia. This possesses an exterior Upper ensemble, similar inside caves same age, different location. Formal relationships usual outside both cases they represent communicative code did need dark mystery expressed.