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At least 120 Roman inscriptions and worship of unknown goddess found in Spanish cave

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Researchers identified at least 120 Latin inscriptions dating from the first and second centuries CE inside Cova Dones in eastern Spain.
  • Five votive inscriptions refer to a deity called “Domina,” including three naming the previously unknown epithet “Malaci,” possibly linked to water.
  • Female names and spindle whorls suggest women played an active role in the cave’s organized cultic activity.

At least 120 Roman-era inscriptions have been identified deep inside a Spanish cave, including five votive texts dedicated to a previously unknown aspect of a goddess called “Domina,” or “the Lady.”

The inscriptions date from the first and second centuries CE and were found in May and June at Valencia’s Cova Dones, more than 200 meters underground. The discovery, announced by the University of Alicante in late July, sharply increases the number known at the site. Archaeologists had identified about 15 inscriptions there before 2026.

Preliminary results indicate that Cova Dones was a cave-sanctuary frequented by women, since several female names appear among the inscriptions documented so far.

· Cova Dones research teamThe team’s interpretation of the inscriptions and the sanctuary’s visitors.

The writings cover the walls and ceilings of a cave whose floor contains small natural pools formed by water seeping through the rock. Researchers said preliminary results indicate that Cova Dones functioned as a sanctuary frequented by women, because several female names appear among the inscriptions.

Epigrapher Silvia Alfayé of the University of Zaragoza said five votive inscriptions show that Roman visitors worshipped a deity they called Domina. Three inscriptions include the name “MALACI,” a previously unknown epithet for the goddess. Alfayé said the epithet may relate to water, although researchers are still working on its interpretation.

Three of these inscriptions bear the name 'MALACI', a previously unknown epithet for a goddess.

· Silvia AlfayéThe epigrapher described the newly identified name associated with Domina.

The concentration of inscriptions dedicated to the same deity, in a defined area away from the entrance, points to organized cult activity rather than casual visits, according to epigraphy specialist Sergio García-Dils. The research team also found spindle whorls, objects used to increase a spindle’s rotation. Team leader Virginia Barciela said they may have been offerings associated with the female sphere, matching the evidence of women’s active participation.

The cave first attracted archaeological attention in 2023 after researchers discovered more than 100 Paleolithic paintings inside it. Its Roman layer emerged later, adding a sanctuary used during the Roman period to a site already known for one of the eastern Iberian Peninsula’s largest Paleolithic art collections.

This goddess had a specific aspect, perhaps related to water, the definitive interpretation of which we are currently working on.

· Silvia AlfayéShe explained the researchers’ still-unresolved interpretation of the Malaci epithet.
About this summary

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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