Summary
In 1992, while visiting the Cave of Altamira, the prominent Spanish painter Enrique Gran told artist Lucio Muñoz "it's all here", to which Muñoz nodded his agreement. The two painters agreed on the aesthetic significance of the paintings. But they didn't know that this exchange also expressed other conflicting aspects and values of the site, such as the emotional, scientific, administrative, symbolic, economic, political, and those relating to the community. These embody all of the contradictions of the Spanish modernizing project, as well the typical use of unique but fragile heritage assets. Between 2012 and 2014, the Institute of Heritage Sciences has analysed these aspects, funded by the Spanish Ministry of Culture, in anticipation of a hypothetical but controversial opening of the cave, which has been closed to the public from 2001. Our aim is to gather feedback that can contribute to demystifying Altamira and building a more constructive future to enable us to manage and enjoy this important site.