Cova de les Toixoneres

Cova de les Toixoneres is a karst cave near Moià, in the Moianès region of Barcelona province, Spain. It forms part of the larger Coves del Toll complex and sits only about 150 metres from the neighbouring Cova del Toll — two separate caves that are easy to confuse but hold very different finds.

What will you find inside?

The interior consists of three galleries arranged in a U-shape, giving the cave two entrances. This layout once let animals move freely between levels, and today it lets researchers work through the sediment sequence layer by layer. Don't expect dramatic stalactite formations here — the real value of Toixoneres lies underground, in deposits that preserve tens of thousands of years of past life.

Why does this cave matter to science?

The archaeological layers at Cova de les Toixoneres date to between 30,000 and 90,000 years ago, placing them squarely in the Middle Palaeolithic, when Neanderthals inhabited Europe. The cave served as a den for carnivores, chiefly hyenas, and excavations have turned up remains of both predators and their prey, along with coprolites (fossilised droppings) that reveal details of the animals' diet.

The breakthrough discovery came on 16 August 2016, when the first hominid remains at the site were unearthed: a lower canine and a parietal bone belonging to a Neanderthal child aged 7 to 9. The find became known informally as "the child of Moià" and was reported in international scientific publications.

Another major discovery followed with the recovery of two nearly complete skeletons of steppe rhinoceros (Stephanorhinus hemitoechus), roughly 200,000 years old, uncovered by researchers from the Universitat Rovira i Virgili and the IPHES-CERCA institute. Skeletons of large Pleistocene mammals preserved this completely are rare among European cave sites.

How do you get there?

Moià sits in the Moianès region of Barcelona province, an easy day-trip distance from Barcelona or Vic. Because the site is an active archaeological and palaeontological excavation, access to the cave interior can be restricted. It's worth contacting the local tourist information office in Moià beforehand, as it coordinates visits and can confirm whether excavation work is underway.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for exploring the karst terrain around Moianès, with mild temperatures for walking and good daylight for viewing the cave's surroundings. Pair a visit with the neighbouring Cova del Toll and other archaeological sites in the Moianès region to build a route dedicated to Catalonia's prehistory.

Frequently asked questions

Are Cova de les Toixoneres and Cova del Toll the same cave? No. They are two distinct caves about 150 metres apart, both part of the Coves del Toll complex in Moià, but each with its own excavation history and finds.

What is the most important discovery made here? The remains of a Neanderthal child (a lower canine and a parietal bone) found in 2016, known as "the child of Moià," along with two complete steppe rhinoceros skeletons roughly 200,000 years old.

How old are the archaeological layers? Between 30,000 and 90,000 years old, corresponding to the Middle Palaeolithic and the presence of Neanderthals in Europe.

Can visitors explore the cave independently? Because it's an active scientific site, access is often regulated — check current visiting conditions with the local tourist office in Moià before planning a trip.