When was the first cave found?

Answer 1

Caves were first discovered by the earliest hominids, searching for shelter from the elements and safety from predators. Currently, caves are discovered by spelunkers exploring areas with the right geology.

Answer 2

No-one knows if you consider that early man used caves (if available) for shelter. Serious cave exploration began in the 19C., butfor decades concentrated on already-open caves the locals had knownby their entrances for centuries. A few adventurous souls wandered into caves like Wookey Hole in the 17 and 18C out of curiosity, and tended to write highly-exaggerated accounts about what they had seen by the poor light of candles etc. Generally though people avoided entering caves through fear, which was probably just as well fo rboth them and the caves!

Wookey sadly was visited by the 18C poet AlexanderPope merely to plunder its stalactites to ornament an artifical grotto in his garden, such things being the 18C equivalent of decking to the fashion-conscious & trendy.

19C pioneers like John Birkbeck and(UK) and Edouard Martel (France) were among the first seriously to explore caves. Martel in particular developed techniques for use in caves with deep entrance shafts, common in France & N England.

Answer 3

The first discovered cave dates back to prehistoric times, with evidence of cave exploration and occupation by early humans. The exact timing varies depending on the region and the definition of a "cave," but the earliest known cave paintings and artifacts can be dated to tens of thousands of years ago.