In 1988 a cave was discovered on the Italian side of Monte Generoso, which we now call “Grotta dell’orso” with the remains of over 500 cave bears. On the Italian side of Monte Generoso, a few hundred metres from the summit (1’704 m/sm), a cave was discovered a few years ago (1988) which today we call “Grotta dell’orso” (real name Caverna Generosa). Inside this cave were found the remains of more than 500 specimens of bear of the species Ursus spelaeus, animals that could weigh up to 1’000 kg, lived until 14-15’000 years ago and then extinct. The cave has a development of over 200 meters, 70 of which can be visited. Among the 40,000 finds, which make this site one of the most important in Europe, there are not only bear remains but also other small mammals of the time.
Explorers for a day
Long ago, (between 50,000 and 30,000 years ago) cave bears lived on Monte Generoso. On the Italian side of Monte Generoso, a few hundred metres from the summit (1’704 m/sm), a cave was discovered a few years ago (1988) which today we call “Grotta dell’orso” (real name Caverna Generosa). Inside this cave were found the remains of more than 500 specimens of bear of the species Ursus spelaeus, animals that could weigh up to 1’000 kg, lived until 14-15’000 years ago and then extinct. The cave has a development of over 200 meters, 70 of which can be visited. Among the 40,000 finds, which make this site one of the most important in Europe, there are not only bear remains but also other small mammals of the time.
