Light in the Dark: A Systematic Analysis of Sensory Parameters in Iberian Iron Age Ritual Caves

The deepest and darkest areas of caves are frequently associated with symbolic and ritual activities. This article advances understanding of this cross-cultural pattern by focusing on the methodological identification and analysis of microclimatic conditions as key factors shaping the human use of caves as ritual spaces in the Iberian Iron Age. Drawing on sensory archaeology, environmental psychology, and cognitive science, we develop a multi-method approach to characterize the environmental parameters influencing human experience underground. This framework integrates in situ monitoring of light intensity, temperature, and relative humidity, GIS-based spatial modeling, and multivariate statistical analysis. Applied to three Iberian ritual caves, the results reveal strong correlations between microclimatic gradients, spatial configuration, accessibility, and artifact distribution. The findings demonstrate a consistent preferential use of deep, dark, and humid areas, highlighting how stable environmental conditions contributed to structuring ritual practices and embodied experiences within subterranean contexts.