Prehistoric caves of the Penedès region (NE Iberian Peninsula) have traditionally been studied as individual sites, often detached from their broader spatial and landscape contexts. This paper presents a spatial analysis of prehistoric caves in the Penedès area, focusing on the relationship with natural corridors, such as valleys, passes, and routes of least-cost accessibility. By integrating cave locations with topography, hydrography, and corridor networks, the study explores how caves were embedded within wider systems of mobility and territorial organization.

Rather than interpreting caves solely through their internal stratigraphy or material assemblages, this research approaches them as dynamic nodes within prehistoric landscapes, potentially linked to circulation routes and seasonal movements. The analysis includes both well-known and poorly documented caves, highlighting the research potential of minor or understudied sites. This spatial perspective allows for the identification of patterns in cave distribution at a regional scale and opens new interpretive avenues regarding their diachronic use and function, aligning closely with the methodological and interpretive themes addressed in this session.

First Author: Alba Sánchez de la Blanca Ramírez

Co-Authors: Francesc Oms Arias, Xavier Rubio Campillo

Keywords:
Caves
Iberian peninsula
Natural corridors
Landscape
Prehistory