The museum holds an extensive collection of decorated portable art, including notable examples of antler and bone carvings from the Magdalenian period.
Several artifacts on display originate from the UNESCO World Heritage-listed caves of the Cantabrian region.
The collection includes the 'Castros' of Cantabria, providing insight into the Iron Age indigenous settlements before the Roman conquest.
The museum serves as a primary repository for material culture found during excavations of the Cantabrian Mesolithic sites.
It preserves a significant series of Roman period artifacts that document the integration of Cantabria into the Roman Empire.
The Museum of Prehistory and Archaeology of Cantabria (MUPAC) houses one of Europe's most significant collections of Paleolithic art and archaeological remains. The institution focuses on the prehistoric evolution of the Cantabrian coast, specifically emphasizing the human occupation of caves in the region. Its permanent exhibition features thousands of items recovered from iconic sites such as Altamira, El Castillo, and El Pendo. The collection includes tools, ceramics, and symbolic objects spanning from the Lower Paleolithic to the Middle Ages. The museum utilizes interactive installations to provide context for the transition between hunter-gatherer societies and early agricultural communities. Its current facility serves as a central hub for researchers studying the cave art of Northern Spain. The exhibits are arranged chronologically to illustrate technological advancements and cultural changes over millennia.
The main lobby and the reconstructed prehistoric cave environment displays.
Focus your time on the Paleolithic displays, which are the museum's primary scientific strength.
Check the museum's official website for temporary exhibitions, as the collection frequently rotates items from regional storage.
Allow extra time for the interactive digital exhibits that map the geography of local archaeological sites.
Attempting to photograph delicate artifacts with flash, which is strictly prohibited to preserve the materials.
Closed on Mondays throughout the year.
