Erralla

Erralla is a cave archaeological site in Zestoa, in the Gipuzkoa province of the Basque Country, set in the valley of the Urola river. It is one of several Palaeolithic sites clustered in this area — the caves of Ekain and Amalda lie just a few kilometres away, making the Urola valley one of the key regions for research into Western Europe's deep past.

What was discovered at Erralla?

The cave was occupied by humans during the Magdalenian period, and one of its layers (level V) has been dated to around 10,580 years ago, corresponding to the Lower Magdalenian. Excavations led by Basque archaeologists Jesús Altuna, Alfonso Baldeón and Koro Mariezkurrena uncovered a rich assemblage of bone tools and faunal remains typical of hunter-gatherer groups of that era.

One especially notable find is a canid humerus bone recovered from the Lower Magdalenian layer. Analysis and radiocarbon dating suggest it may represent one of the earliest examples of a domesticated dog in Europe, placing Erralla at the centre of scientific debate about the origins of the human-dog relationship.

Can you visit the cave itself?

Erralla is primarily a scientific excavation site rather than a tourist attraction — free access to the cave is not permitted, since its archaeological layers are protected from disturbance. Travellers curious about the region's prehistory should instead head to Ekainberri, an interpretation centre in the same municipality of Zestoa, which houses a faithful replica of the nearby Ekain cave and its Palaeolithic rock art, considered among the best preserved in Europe.

How to get to Zestoa?

Zestoa sits in the Urola valley, between Azpeitia and the Cantabrian coast, within easy reach of San Sebastián (Donostia) and Bilbao — both cities have road and rail links to the area. A car is the most practical way to explore, since it lets you combine a visit to Ekainberri with short trips to nearby Urola valley towns and the coast, such as Zumaia and its striking flysch cliffs.

When is the best time to go?

The region has an Atlantic climate — mild but rainy for much of the year. The best months to visit are spring (April–June) and early autumn (September–October), when temperatures are pleasant and crowds thinner than in high summer. In summer, the Urola valley sees more family traffic heading to the coastal beaches, which means busier conditions at nearby attractions, including Ekainberri — booking ahead is recommended.

Why does Erralla matter scientifically?

Together with Ekain and Amalda, Erralla forms a sequence of sites that lets researchers trace changes in the way human groups lived in the Urola valley over millennia — from hunting strategies to the seasonal mobility of Magdalenian bands. Combined palynological and archaeozoological studies of these three sites provide one of the most complete pictures of the Upper Palaeolithic in southern Europe.

Frequently asked questions

Is Erralla cave open to the public? No — it is an active or protected research site with no free public access. Anyone interested in the topic should visit Ekainberri in the same municipality instead.

What was found inside Erralla cave? Bone and stone tools from the Magdalenian period, plus a canid bone considered one of the earliest pieces of evidence for dog domestication in Europe.

How do you get to Zestoa? The easiest way is by car from San Sebastián or Bilbao — both are under an hour's drive away.

Are there other Palaeolithic sites nearby? Yes — the same Urola valley contains the caves of Ekain and Amalda, together forming an important research complex for the Upper Palaeolithic.