Southeastern Spain is an exceptional place to study the Early Quaternary period. In the Baza basin the dry environment has created excellent outcrops in which we can easily find mammal fossils and lithic artifacts, while Cueva Victoria, located near the Mediterranean coast, is filled with sediments and bones from the same period. We have studied these fossilized deposits for the last 25 years, and have learned much about early human occupation in Europe, but there is still much to discover. We look forward to your help in the field to better understand where and how the first Europeans lived.

Cueva Victoria is located near the Mediterranean coast on the east side of San Ginés de la Jara mountain, near the Mar Menor. Vegetation in the area includes typical Mediterranean bushes and some populations of pine tress. The region contains different interesting landscapes, such as the lagoon of Mar Menor and its associated islands and salinas (shallow ponds used to grow salt). These salinas are home to many different types of birds, notably flamingos. Also interesting is the landscape of the Mediterranean coast, including the Cal Blanque natural park. In this coastal area, mountains formed by dark metamorphic rocks connect to a variety of wonderful beaches. 

Cueva Victoria itself has six large rooms and more than two kilometers of galleries located at different levels. The project has explored and mapped these six rooms but the extent of the cave is still unknown. The biggest room is the Sala Union (over 150 x 30 meters large) and this is where the main accumulation of fossils occurs. The room is connected to one of the entrances to the cave and has holes which supply natural light. Some areas in the cave have speleological interest with nice stalactite formations.