A large number of prehistoric archaeological sites in the Valencia Region (Spain) do not have adequate protection and are open to acts of vandalism and stealing, a report warned. The caves dating back to the Palaeolithic period and in some cases to the Iron Age located in La Safor district have no protection at all. These include the Parpalló de Gandia, Cova del Barranc Blanc de Rótova, Penya Roja de Rótova, Cova de Llop de Gandia, Lea Mallaetes de Barx and the Montgó de Dénia.
     All appear to have been forgotten by the authorities in favour of more modern causes such as baroque churches, 19th century buildings and monuments that are less then 100 years old. These sites do not have fences around them and lack any form of security says the head of archaeological service in Valencia. José Aparicio. Sr Aparicio also claims that the cave dwellings do not have as much as a fence around them. He added that these sites are very valuable because they contain material that shows just how our prehistoric ancestors lived.
     Some of the artwork found on the walls of the caves dates back to between 10,000 to 30,000 BCE. In the case of La Penya Roja, which was discovered in the 80s, items found there date the cave to between 25,000 to 50,000 BCE and the suspicions are that they were inhabited at least 500,000 years ago. Conservationists are calling for urgent action from the government to protect these sites.

Source: Costa Levante News (21 August 2009)