CAVEMAN CAPERS 1. Fuente Nueva. Orce.
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
Please take care to hide the cache in the same place.
There are very interesting ancient archaeological sites at Orce: Fuente Nueva, Barranco del Paso, Barranco León and Venta Micena. It was in this last find that the cranial remains of, what is now known as, "Hombre de Orce" (Orce Man) were found.
Traditionally the local economy was based on agriculture and breeding livestock, with a particular emphasis on the famous segureña lamb, famous and much sought after for its exquisite flavour.
Many ancient stone utensils have been found and there are thought to be many human fossils still to be discovered. To date, the Fuente Nueva site is the most important of the four in Orce, for the large amount of flint, dolomitic limestone which are related to rhinoceros, hippopotamus, elephants and other mammals.
As well as these traces of ancient species, there are also archeological remains, on of great interest being 'el cerro de la virgen' (the hill of the virgin), where you can see the remains of a Bronze Age village dating back to 2,500BC.
Orce is truly rich in historic and architectural heritage, as can be seen with the Segura Palace of the 16th - 17th century, the church of the 17th century and many stately homes.
The fortress style castle at Orce is testament to its rich historic past. The Alcazaba de las Siete Torres (Fortress of Seven Towers) was built in stages, from the 6th century and was not finished until the Christian era in the 16th century, spanning a millennium of cultural changes.
For further information on Orce, contact:
Tourist Information Office
Calle Tiendas, 18
Tel: 958 746 171
Or the Town Hall:
Ayuntamiento de Puebla de Orce
The magical hamlet of Fuente Nueva, is made up of primarily cave dwellings, approximately 200 dwellings in all. Set in the Spanish Countryside, with outstanding views of the Sierra de Maria Mountain Range. Visiting this unspoilt hamlet, is like taking a step back in time, to 'A Land that time has forgotten’. You will sense a harmony and tranquility, lost in the modern fast passed world of the 21st Century. Fuente Nueva is a tranquil and peaceful place to come, to breath in the fresh air, and to relax and unwind.
The natural surroundings are breathtaking, you can take in and enjoy the dramatic contrast between the Mountain Range, the pine forests, the dry flat-lands and the pastoral planes, (where prehistoric animals once grazed) Fuente Nueva, is situated on the side of what was once, a vaste prehistoric lake, where mammoths, sabre tooth tigers, rhinoceros, buffalo, bear and not least man came to drink.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ivfvg gur puhepu. Vgf serr cnexvat!