A geophysical survey of the Grotta delle Veneri (Cave of Venuses) in southern Italy has identified possible hidden cavities that may connect to the existing prehistoric cave system.
The Grotta delle Veneri is located near the town of Parabita in the Puglia region and is an important Palaeolithic site, with archaeological evidence of occupation by both Neanderthals and anatomically modern humans.
The cave takes its name from the discovery of two Palaeolithic Venus figurines, carved from animal bone around 20,000 years ago.
Both figurines depict stylised female forms with their arms positioned across the breasts and beneath the abdomen, which some researchers have interpreted as representations of pregnancy or fertility.
The larger figurine measures approximately 9 centimetres in height and has a series of deep grooves across the face, possibly depicting a veil, mask or hairstyle. The smaller figurine measures just over 6 centimetres and displays similar features.
Stylistically, the figurines share characteristics with prehistoric art found across Europe. Their proportions resemble examples from the Mediterranean, while the facial detailing has parallels with figurines from the Rhine-Danube region. Their posture has also been compared with examples discovered in Russia.
Previous archaeological investigations at the Grotta delle Veneri have also uncovered older deposits associated with Neanderthal occupation.
In a new study, researchers from the University of Malta and Italy’s Institute of Heritage Studies conducted a geophysical survey to investigate the subsurface structure of the cave and surrounding limestone.
The team employed ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), two non-invasive methods used to detect underground cavities and geological formations.
GPR uses electromagnetic pulses to identify changes beneath the surface, while ERT measures variations in electrical resistance to distinguish between different subsurface materials.
The survey identified several anomalies that researchers suggest may represent previously undocumented cavities within the limestone.
According to the study, some of these features could be connected to the known cave system, although further investigation is required to determine their extent and whether they are accessible.
Similar investigations at the Gorham’s Cave Complex in Gibraltar led to the discovery of a previously unknown chamber in 2021.
The chamber extended approximately 13 metres into the cave system and had remained sealed for around 40,000 years, preserving evidence associated with Neanderthal activity.
While there is currently no evidence that the anomalies identified at the Grotta delle Veneri contain archaeological deposits, the findings suggest that additional underground spaces may remain undiscovered.
The researchers highlight the potential of combining GPR and ERT to identify concealed cavities at prehistoric cave sites without disturbing archaeological deposits.
Further investigations will be necessary to confirm whether the anomalies represent natural cavities connected to the cave system and whether they preserve additional evidence of prehistoric human activity.
Sources : Barbolla, D.F., Torre, C., De Giorgi, L., & Leucci, G. (2026). New data about Grotta delle Veneri by GPR and ERT surveys . Digital Applications in Archeology and Cultural Heritage, 42, e00560.
