Before entering fully into the meaning of the term cave, it is necessary to proceed to know its etymological origin. In this case we can establish that it is a word that derives from the Latin “cavern”, which in turn comes from “cavus”, which can be translated as “hole”.
A cavern is a hole or cavity that exists between rocks or that develops underground. When this cavity is underground , it is also often called a cave .
For example: “Different species of rodents and bats live in this cave,” “The boy spent the night in a cave he discovered in the middle of the forest,” “Archaeologists were surprised to find cave paintings in the cave.”
Caverns are usually generated naturally from erosion . Over time, rocks can dissolve due to the acidity of the water, giving rise to this type of opening. In general, the caves are dark and have a high level of humidity, since sunlight cannot enter.
In ancient times, prehistoric humans and their ancestors used to use caves as homes or shelters. From this practice derives the notion of “caveman” , also called caveman . It is considered that the term “caveman” began to be used at the time Neanderthal remains were discovered.
The scientific specialty dedicated to the analysis of caves is called speleology . Speleologists study how caves are formed, their characteristics and the species that live in them.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park , in the United States , is one of the many places in the world known for its caves. In this case, the region has more than eighty caves. In Latin America , for its part, the caves of the Nus River in Colombia stand out.
Talking about a cave almost necessarily leads to mentioning philosophy. Yes, because the famous philosopher Plato has gone down in history for his “myth of the cave.” This becomes an allegory that seeks to realize that we perceive a double reality. Specifically, on the one hand, there is what he calls the relationship between the world of ideas and the physical while, on the other hand, there is the way in which the human being has to move between the aforementioned relationship.
If this allegory is called the myth of the cave, it is because it takes a cave as its setting. And the original approach used to explain it is based on a series of men who, since they were born, have found themselves living chained inside a cave of this type.
“La caverna” , or “A caverna” in its original language , is a novel written by the Portuguese José Saramago that was presented in 2000 . At the beginning of 2001 , the Spanish translation was released, developed by Saramago 's own wife: Pilar del Río .
Within the cinematographic field we have to highlight the film titled “The Cursed Cavern”, which was released in 2005. It is directed by Bruce Hunt and has actors such as Cole Hauser and Morris Chestnut as part of the cast. It tells the adventures that some scientists have to face who, while investigating an ancient abbey, discover a series of mysterious caverns.