Largest collection of Roman cave inscriptions discovered, revealing unexpected secrets of ancient worship
Archaeologists in Spain discovered at least 120 Latin inscriptions inside Cova Dones, a cave sanctuary located near Valencia in the country's Valencia province. Researchers provisionally date most of the text collection to the first and second centuries AD, noting that several writings highlight women participating in the worship of a goddess named Domina. Experts believe this find represents the largest known collection of Latin cave inscriptions from anywhere in the Roman Empire. The discovery stems from fieldwork conducted during the May and June 2026 campaign of the DONARQ project.
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- ✓ At least 120 Latin inscriptions have been recorded inside Cova Dones in Spain's Valencia province.
- ✓ Most of the identified inscriptions are provisionally dated to the first and second centuries AD.
- ✓ The collection is considered the largest known from a cave sanctuary anywhere in the Roman Empire.
- ✓ Several of the texts reveal women's participation in the worship of a goddess called Domina.
What changed
Researchers officially recorded at least 120 Latin inscriptions inside the Cova Dones cave sanctuary during recent fieldwork.
Live updates
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Largest Collection of Roman Cave Inscriptions Discovered in Spain
Archaeologists in Spain discovered at least 120 Latin inscriptions inside Cova Dones, a cave sanctuary located near Valencia in the country's Valencia province. Researchers provisionally date most of the text collection to the first and second centuries AD, noting that several writings highlight women participating in the worship of a goddess named Domina. Experts believe this find represents the largest known collection of Latin cave inscriptions from anywhere in the Roman Empire. The discovery stems from fieldwork conducted during the May and June 2026 campaign of the DONARQ project.
Why it matters
The finds inside Cova Dones, also known as the Women's Cave, illuminate unexpected practices of ancient worship and detail vows and offerings made to a deity. While the cave itself has a much deeper history of human use stretching back millennia, these specific Latin texts provide fresh evidence regarding provincial ritual life and the specific roles held by women in Roman religious observances. The ongoing investigations are led by a research team drawing from multiple universities.
What is confirmed
- At least 120 Latin inscriptions have been recorded inside Cova Dones in Spain's Valencia province.
- Most of the identified inscriptions are provisionally dated to the first and second centuries AD.
- The collection is considered the largest known from a cave sanctuary anywhere in the Roman Empire.
- Several of the texts reveal women's participation in the worship of a goddess called Domina.
What to watch next
- Full publication of the remaining unstudied inscriptions from the Cova Dones cave sanctuary
- Further analysis from the universities participating in the DONARQ project regarding the exact chronology of the site
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (12)
- FOX Weather — Largest collection of Roman cave inscriptions discovered, revealing unexpected secrets of ancient worship
- Diario AS — A cave in Spain remained sealed for 16,800 years, hiding an archaeological treasure: what researchers found in
- The Independent — The mysterious Spanish ‘Women’s Cave’ used for 24,000 years for sacred rituals
- ua.news — At least 120 inscriptions identified in a cave near Valencia — The Independent
- Yahoo News UK — Archaeologists uncover 120 Roman inscriptions in Spanish cave
- www.foxweather.com — Largest collection of Roman cave inscriptions discovered, revealing unexpected secrets of ancient worship
- www.aol.com — Largest collection of Roman cave inscriptions discovered ...
- romanempiretimes.com — Roman Cave in Spain Holds at Least 120 Latin Inscriptions
- article.wn.com — Roman Cave in Spain Holds at Least 120 Latin Inscriptions
- www.discover-science.com — Roman inscriptions in Spain’s Women’s Cave reveal women ...
- templumdianae.com — Roman Cave Sanctuary Reveals Domina Goddess Worship | Templum ...
- romanempiretimes.com — Roman Empire News - Roman Empire Times
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