The pendants of Praileaitz I

The cave that we call Praileatiz I had a different use to the rest of the caves we know of. This is not a cave that was used as a temporary dwelling for a group of people – at least we have no remains to suggest that it was, nor was it a cave used for hunting or storage. This cave is special, something that is suggested by the shape of its entrance, which recalls the form of the female sexual organs, and by its location, suspended above the river Deba. The entrance gives way to a space approximately seven metres in diameter and no more than two metres high. It is a cosy space, not only because of the convenience of its measurements, but also because the floor is layered with stone slabs and because of other details (meat store, fire on the floor, stone seat). It is clear that it was designed for the comfort of one single inhabitant. There is no collection of waste materials or tools here, as one commonly finds in other similar spaces, though it does contain remains of paintings and ochre pencils.

The space behind this one is equally astonishing, owing to its frugal and even clean appearance. But the biggest surprise can be found between the two rooms: some 20 pendants (not counting the broken ones), all perfectly arranged and made using shiny black stones, forming five collars with numerous carvings and incisions. These stones suggest a meticulous process of selection according to shape and colour, followed by the painstaking work of making holes in them so that they can be used as pendants. The work as a whole also suggests a profound symbology. If the stones are impressive when viewed one by one, seeing the 14 of them together is almost beyond description. It is also worthy of note that the pendants also include several canines of animals; equally noteworthy is the presence of broken pieces, given that the breakages may not have been accidental.

Looking at them today, we cannot decipher their meanings or their functions. Were they merely decorative? Or were they used for display, or to signify hierarchy? The pendants of Praileaitz appear to be implements used for ritual purposes. The most logical explanation for these remains and their setting is that this was the cave of a kind of shaman.

Further information here:  "The Magdalenian pendants of the Praileaitz I cave(Deba)" (Bertan Collection)