This report, the third in a series of five reports, explores the distinct lenses we will employ while examining the rock art at the Cuevas de la Araña in Bicorp, which depicts the ancient practice of honey gathering. These perspectives—the cultural geographer’s, the art historian’s, the performative archaeologist’s, and the modern beekeeper’s—offer varied approaches for understanding how ancient people interacted with their environment, bees, and their surrounding landscapes. By employing each lens, we aim to gain a deeper, multi-faceted understanding of the site and its rock art, focusing on how the honey gathering practice is depicted and what these depictions reveal about ancient communities.

In discussing these perspectives, we also reflect on what it means to have a “perspective.” A perspective, in this context, is not simply an opinion but a structured way of understanding the world, shaped by the tools, theories, and assumptions of a particular discipline. Each discipline brings a distinct set of concepts, questions, and methodologies that help us interpret the past. Through the application of these perspectives, we uncover different aspects of honey gathering as depicted in the rock art that might otherwise remain hidden.

A perspective is a lens through which one interprets data, connects it to broader themes, and draws conclusions. In research, each discipline provides its own methodology for creating meaning, whether by focusing on spatial relationships (cultural geography), visual representation (art history), embodied experiences (performative archaeology), or ecological sustainability (modern beekeeping). By integrating these perspectives, we can more fully understand the complexity of the honey gathering practice, as it appears in the rock art at the Cuevas de la Araña.

A. The Cultural Geographer’s Perspective

The cultural geographer might approach the rock art at the Cuevas de la Araña by focusing on the relationship between people, the landscape, and the environment. The Cuevas de la Araña is not merely a static site of rock art but an active space shaped by the social and ecological forces surrounding it. For the geographer, the land is more than just a backdrop; it is an integral part of human practices, rituals, and cultural identities.

Landscape and Place

The cultural geographer could begin by considering the way the Cuevas de la Araña itself is represented in rock art. The cliffside location of the cave, surrounded by rugged terrain, plays an essential role in understanding the cultural significance of honey gathering. The cave’s geography could suggest symbolic meanings attached to accessing the honey—climbing a cliff may have represented a spiritual ascent or a connection to higher powers. The depiction of honey gathering in the rock art, framed by these dramatic natural features, may speak to the cultural and spiritual understanding of landscape by the people who created it.

Human-Environment Interaction

Geographers focus on how humans interact with the land. At the Cuevas de la Araña, honey gatherers could have engaged with the environment in a practical sense, using the natural features around them to locate and access bee hives. The rock art could show these interactions, depicting tools, body movements, and spatial dynamics that reveal how the gatherers used their surroundings.

The cultural geographer could also consider the ecological implications of honey gathering. Were bees and other elements of nature represented symbolically? How did the practice of honey gathering reinforce human reliance on and interaction with their environment?

Territoriality and Social Organization

A cultural geographer might also explore whether the practice of honey gathering was organized across the landscape. The rock art might reveal how the community viewed the use of space—whether honey gathering was conducted in certain designated areas, suggesting early forms of territoriality or communal organization. Did specific families or social groups claim rights to particular beehives, or were these resources shared? The cultural geographer could look for signs of these social dynamics in the depiction of honey gathering.

Interrogating the Museum Context

In addition to examining the rock art itself, the cultural geographer might also critique how the Cuevas de la Araña has been presented and interpreted in modern museum settings. Museums can play an important role in shaping perceptions of ancient cultures, and the geographer could be interested in how the museum space frames the Cuevas de la Araña and its rock art. Does the museum emphasize the ecological and spatial relationships of the site, or does it reduce the art to isolated, static images? How do contemporary visitors interact with the site through museum displays, and how does this influence their understanding of ancient honey gathering practices?

B. The Art Historian’s Perspective

The art historian might approach the rock art at the Cuevas de la Araña by focusing on the visual representation, symbolism, and aesthetic choices that convey the practice of honey gathering. By analyzing the motifs, techniques, and cultural context of the art, the historian can reveal the deeper meanings behind the depictions of honey gathering.

Visual Representation and Iconography

The art historian could first analyze the specific motifs used in the rock art. What is depicted alongside the honey gathering scenes? Are there repeated symbols—such as bees, hives, or tools—that suggest a particular iconography of honey gathering? The art historian could also consider how the human figures are portrayed. Are the gatherers shown with exaggerated proportions or specific postures? These stylistic choices can reveal cultural beliefs about the role of the honey gatherer within society.

Symbolism of Bees and Honey

Bees and honey have long had symbolic meanings in various cultures. For the art historian, the Cuevas de la Araña rock art provide an opportunity to explore how these symbols might have been employed in ancient Mediterranean societies. Was honey portrayed as a divine gift or a symbol of fertility and abundance? Did the bees represent industriousness, community, or even sacredness? These interpretations depend on how bees and honey were depicted in the art and how they were culturally understood.

Aesthetic and Stylistic Choices

The art historian could also look closely at the aesthetic techniques used to convey the scenes of honey gathering. Are the figures abstract or realistic? What kind of materials and methods were used to create the art? These stylistic choices reflect the worldview of the people who made the rock art, offering clues about their cultural priorities, their artistic capabilities, and their relationship with the natural world.

Interrogating the Museum Context

Just as the cultural geographer considers the museum’s presentation of the rock art, the art historian could analyze how the aesthetics of the Cuevas de la Araña are framed in the museum space. Does the museum display emphasize the symbolic and artistic dimensions of the honey gathering scenes, or does it reduce them to simple illustrations of everyday life? How does the museum’s curation influence the way visitors understand the role of honey gathering in the context of art history?

C. The Performative Archaeologist’s Perspective

The performative archaeologist might approach the rock art at the Cuevas de la Araña by reenacting the practice of honey gathering as depicted in the art. This approach emphasizes the embodied experience of the practice, focusing on movement, physical engagement, and re-enactment.

Embodied Re-enactment

The performative archaeologist could engage with the Cuevas de la Araña through a reenactment of honey gathering. This might involve climbing trees or cliffs using tools similar to those depicted in the rock art. By physically performing the tasks shown in the art, the archaeologist seeks to understand the sensations, challenges, and rhythms involved in honey gathering. What is it like to climb a cliff in search of honey? How do the movements of the body relate to the landscape?

Landscape as Stage

For the performative archaeologist, the Cuevas de la Araña is not just a static site but a stage. The surrounding environment itself becomes a medium for understanding the past. What does it feel like to interact with the landscape in the same way that ancient people might have? This engagement with the land allows the archaeologist to re-imagine the honey gathering process, moving beyond theoretical interpretations to a more embodied, experiential understanding.

Re-imagining the Past

The goal of reenactment is not to replicate ancient practices exactly but to re-imagine them and gain new insights. By re-enacting the honey gathering process, the archaeologist can uncover aspects of the activity that may not be immediately evident through the rock art itself. This approach provides a deeper, more visceral understanding of how the practice might have felt and how it might have been integrated into daily life.

D. The Modern Beekeeper’s Perspective

A modern beekeeper brings an ecological and practical perspective to the interpretation of rock art. Drawing on contemporary knowledge of bee behavior, hive management, and environmental sustainability, the beekeeper might evaluate how ancient honey gatherers might have interacted with bees and their habitats.

Ecology of Bees and Their Habitats

The modern beekeeper could start by considering the environmental conditions surrounding the Cuevas de la Araña. How does the landscape support bee populations? What types of plants might have provided nectar for the bees, and how does this relate to the depicted honey gathering scenes? By understanding modern bee ecology, the beekeeper can gain insight into the natural world that would have supported ancient honey gathering practices.

Tools and Techniques

The beekeeper could also analyze the tools depicted in the rock art. How do the methods of honey gathering shown compare to modern beekeeping techniques? The beekeeper might reflect on the efficiency and sustainability of ancient methods, considering whether they were more ecologically responsible than some modern industrial practices.

Bee Conservation and Sustainability

Given the current concerns over bee population decline, the beekeeper might reflect on how ancient honey gatherers may have practiced more sustainable methods of honey collection. Did they leave enough honey for the bees to survive? Were their methods more respectful of the bees’ life cycle? This perspective allows for a comparison between ancient and modern practices, offering insights into how sustainability in beekeeping has evolved.

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By employing these four perspectives—the cultural geographer’s, the art historian’s, the performative archaeologist’s, and the modern beekeeper’s—we can gain a nuanced understanding of the rock art at the Cuevas de la Araña. Each lens provides a distinct set of tools, concepts, and questions, revealing different aspects of the honey gathering practice depicted in the art. Together, these perspectives offer a comprehensive framework for interpreting the ancient relationship between humans, bees, and the environment, while also providing valuable insights into contemporary concerns such as bee conservation and ecological sustainability.

As we engage with the Cuevas de la Araña through these diverse lenses, several guiding questions emerge that challenge us to think critically about the significance of the rock art and the broader implications it holds for our understanding of the past and present. These questions invite us to delve deeper into the symbolic, social, ecological, and practical dimensions of honey gathering, providing a foundation for further analysis as we explore the intricacies of ancient beekeeping practices and their relevance to modern sustainability efforts.

To what extent do the symbolic representations of bees, honey, and the act of honey gathering convey broader cultural values or beliefs?  This question examines to what extent symbolic meanings are embedded in the depictions of bees and honey, and how these symbols relate to social, spiritual, or ecological concepts in ancient societies.

In what ways can the physical reenactment of honey gathering enhance our understanding of the practices depicted in rock art?  By reenacting the depicted actions, this question explores how physically engaging with the site can provide greater insights into the labor, tools, and techniques involved in honey gathering, thus enriching our understanding of the cultural context.

To what extent do the rock art depictions of honey gathering suggest social organization, territorial practices, or gender roles within the community?  This question investigates whether the art reflects early forms of social structure and territoriality, and whether these practices were central to the community’s organization. It also invites exploration of gender roles in the depictions—whether the honey gatherer is portrayed as a man or a woman—and what these representations reveal about gendered labor or societal roles in ancient communities.

In what ways does the museum presentation of the Cuevas de la Araña rock art shape contemporary interpretations of its cultural and ecological significance?  This question critically examines how curatorial choices in museum displays influence modern understandings of the site’s symbolism, historical context, and the ecological relationship between humans and bees.

What are we doing in the 21st century when we say that rock art depictions of honey gathering suggest a call for natural beekeeping practices?  This question asks us to reflect on the implications of interpreting ancient rock art as advocating for modern beekeeping practices. It challenges us to consider what it means to suggest that the practices depicted in the rock art offer lessons for contemporary beekeeping, particularly in terms of ecological sustainability. How does the portrayal of honey gathering in the art influence our perceptions of natural beekeeping today, and what might we be implying when we claim that ancient practices of “letting bees be bees” can inform current methods? This question urges us to explore the connections between ancient and modern practices, encouraging reflection on how the past can guide present-day ecological challenges.

In this, the second of five Honey Gatherer reports, we examine the physical, geographical, and historical context of the Cuevas de la Araña in Bicorp, Spain, where rock art depicting the ancient practice of honey gathering is found. By exploring both the spatial and temporal factors that influenced the creation of the rock art and the practice of honey gathering itself, we aim to understand the cultural and ecological forces that shaped both the art and the practice.

Understanding the Site and Situation

Before interpreting the rock art in person, it is essential to understand the site and situation. The Cuevas de la Araña, located in the limestone landscape of Bicorp, provide a rich context for understanding prehistoric life. Here, the term “situation” encompasses not only the physical and ecological surroundings of the cave but also the historical context—the time during which the rock art was created, and the broader cultural forces at play. By integrating the geographical features of the landscape, the ecological context, and the historical moment in which the art was created, we gain a clearer understanding of the significance of honey gathering and its artistic representation.

A. The Geographical Context of the Cuevas de la Araña

The Cuevas de la Araña is situated in the municipality of Bicorp, within the province of Valencia, Spain. Located in a rugged limestone region marked by cliffs, ravines, and caves, this natural environment significantly influenced both the practice of honey gathering and the creation of rock art.

Geography and Topography of Bicorp

The cave is perched on a cliffside overlooking a valley, offering strategic access to both shelter and vital resources. The surrounding limestone landscape provides natural shelters and supports biodiversity, particularly wild plants that sustain bee populations critical for honey gathering. The topography of the region may have influenced how ancient communities practiced honey gathering. The challenge of climbing steep cliffs to access beehives could have imbued the activity with symbolic or ritual significance, possibly reflecting a connection to the divine or a physical ascent to higher spiritual realms.

Climate and Ecological Features

The Mediterranean climate, with its hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, supports a wide variety of flowering plants essential for honey production. The natural environment around Cuevas de la Araña would have been ideal for wild bee populations, contributing to a robust honey-gathering tradition. These ecological conditions shaped not only the practical aspects of honey gathering but also the symbolic meanings embedded in the rock art.

Human-Environment Interaction

The rock art at the Cuevas de la Araña provides valuable insights into how ancient people interacted with their environment. The cave may have offered natural sites for beehives, and the surrounding landscape would have provided the biodiversity necessary for honey gathering. The honey-gathering imagery in the art suggests that the practice was central to daily life and also tied to the community’s spiritual or symbolic understanding of their environment.

B. The Archaeological Significance of the Cuevas de la Araña

The Cuevas de la Araña holds considerable archaeological and cultural importance. As a repository of prehistoric rock art, it provides a window into the worldviews, practices, and social structures of the people who lived there.

Prehistoric Rock Art

The rock art at the Cuevas de la Araña dates back to the Upper Paleolithic period, approximately 8,000 to 12,000 years ago. This was a time of transition, as societies shifted from purely hunter-gatherer lifestyles to more complex, settled communities that began experimenting with agriculture. The cave paintings feature various motifs—animals, human figures, and abstract symbols—that suggest a rich cultural and spiritual life. Among these images, depictions of honey gathering provide insight into how this practice was woven into social, economic, and spiritual realms.

Honey gathering, as depicted in the rock art, was not merely a subsistence activity. The representations of human figures climbing cliffs and interacting with bees may indicate that honey gathering held deeper cultural or ritual significance. In many ancient cultures, honey was associated with abundance, fertility, and divine favor, and these symbolic meanings likely influenced the practice itself.

Cultural Context of the Rock Art

The Cuevas de la Araña is situated in a physically challenging landscape, which may have held symbolic or ritual importance for the people who created the art. The cave’s location—difficult to reach—could have made it a sacred space. The rock art may have been part of spiritual or ceremonial practices, linking honey gathering to rituals that connected the community to the land and the divine. These depictions likely reveal how people understood their relationship with nature, animals, and the spiritual world.

C. The Historical Context: The Timing of the Honey Gatherer

To fully appreciate the significance of honey gathering in rock art, it is essential to understand the historical context in which it was created. The Upper Paleolithic period, during which this art was produced, marked a time of significant social, cultural, and technological transformation.

Global Context and Comparative Examples

The rock art at the Cuevas de la Araña was created around the same time as other major cultural developments across Europe. The end of the Pleistocene, transitioning into the Holocene, brought warming temperatures that led to the development of more complex human societies. Around 10,000 years ago, many communities began shifting from purely hunter-gatherer lifestyles to those that incorporated agriculture, domestication of animals, and permanent settlements. This transformation was part of the broader Neolithic Revolution, exemplified by the rise of early agricultural practices in the Near East—an area that includes parts of modern-day Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Israel, particularly along the major river systems such as the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

Just as societies in the Near East were experimenting with farming, the people of Cuevas de la Araña may have been exploring new ways of interacting with their environment. Honey gathering, whether from wild hives or early forms of beekeeping, could be seen as part of this larger shift, reflecting increasing human engagement with nature and the development of more specialized practices.

Honey gathering, as depicted in the rock art, likely represents an early stage in this broader transformation, where humans began to systematically interact with the natural world, fostering deeper relationships with both the environment and domesticated plants and animals.

D. The Honey Gatherer in Context: A Practice Tied to Time and Space

Considering both the physical and historical context of Cuevas de la Araña, we gain insight into how honey gathering fits into a larger ecological and historical framework. The honey gatherer depicted in the rock art was engaged in a practice deeply tied to their environment and culture.

Honey Gathering as a Cultural Practice

The rock art suggests that honey gathering was not just a utilitarian task but also held cultural or spiritual significance. The act of climbing cliffs to gather honey could have symbolized more than simply procuring food—it may have represented a deeper connection to the divine or the natural cycles of life. The bees, and honey itself, could have been viewed as sacred elements in the relationship between humans and nature.

The Cuevas de la Araña rock art offers a glimpse into an ancient worldview where nature, spirituality, and human practice were deeply intertwined. Honey gathering represents a broader cultural framework, where people saw themselves as part of a larger, interconnected world—both materially and spiritually.

Understanding the Site and Situation of the Cuevas de la Araña

In conclusion, “The Honey Gatherer No. 1: Site and Situation” establishes the critical geographical, ecological, and historical context for interpreting the rock art at the Cuevas de la Araña. By considering the natural environment and the cultural context of the Upper Paleolithic period, we can frame honey gathering as an activity that was integral to both the daily life and spiritual practices of the people who created the art. The Cuevas de la Araña is more than just a site of rock art; it is a rich cultural landscape where nature, spirituality, and human society intersect. This report lays the foundation for further exploration and interpretation of the rock art in subsequent reports.

Bibliography for The Honey Gatherer No. 2: Site and Situation

• Bahn, Paul G. Prehistoric Art: The Symbolic Journey of Humankind. Thames & Hudson, 1998.
• Blench, Roger M. The Archaeology of Beekeeping. Cambridge University Press, 2004.
• González, Juan José, and José María López Sáez. Cuevas de la Araña: Arte Rupestre Prehistórico en el Levante Español. Diputación de Valencia, 2003.
• López-Sáez, José María, et al. La Prehistoria en la Comunidad Valenciana. Generalitat Valenciana, 2012.
• MacDonald, David H., and Peter G. Shell. The Archaeology of Mediterranean Prehistory. Routledge, 2014.
• Simmons, Alan H. The Archaeology of Ancient Beekeeping. Cambridge University Press, 2004.
• Zvelebil, Marek, and Ian A. E. MacKinnon. The Archaeology of Prehistoric and Early Historic Beekeeping in Europe. University of York Press, 2007.
• Zvelebil, Marek, and T. S. J. Brown. The Role of Bees and Honey in Early Societies. Archaeopress, 2010.

This five-part series, “The Honey Gatherer,” embarks on a multi-disciplinary expedition to the Cuevas de la Araña in Bicorp (Valencia), Spain, where ancient rock art depicting honey gathering offers a unique window into prehistoric life. As a Master Beekeeper and geo-storyteller, this expedition is both a deeply personal and professional pilgrimage. My fascination with honey gathering, as both a beekeeper and an everyday scholar, has always been intertwined with a strong desire to visit the Cuevas de la Araña firsthand. After several attempts and setbacks, I am finally on my way to this iconic site, where the art of honey gathering has been preserved in stone for millennia.

For this visit, I travel not only as a beekeeper but also as a cultural geographer, with an eye for how the landscape, environment, and spatial relationships of the site shape the ancient practice of honey gathering. Collaborating on this expedition is Sonia Ibáñez, a student of art history, whose perspective enriches our shared experience of interpreting the site’s rock art. Together, we blend our backgrounds in geography, history, and culture to explore the visual and symbolic narratives embedded in the artwork and those framed by museum curation.

This expedition goes beyond simply documenting or analyzing the rock art. It also explores the concept of what it means to “make” (not just take) an expedition, engaging with both the site and its modern-day interpretations. While our research is informed by our respective disciplines, we share a spirit of adventure—guided by performative archaeology, a method that emphasizes physical engagement with the site to unlock new understandings of ancient practices. This embodied approach will help us bring history to life in new and unexpected ways.

Beyond the exploration of the Cuevas de la Araña, we critically examine how the museum curation surrounding the site shapes, and sometimes limits, our understanding of the rock art. How does the presentation of these ancient practices influence the narratives we construct about the past? What stories are told—or overlooked—in the curation and display of this art? As we engage with the site and museum, we will reflect on how curatorial practices may reinforce or challenge existing assumptions about honey gathering and its cultural representation.

Ultimately, this expedition is about more than just analysis. It’s about experiencing the site, engaging with its environment, and critically examining how both the rock art and its interpretation shape our understanding of the ancient world. Through this series, we invite you to join us in this exploration, where multiple perspectives come together to reveal the complexity and beauty of honey gathering, while also examining how these stories are told and framed today.