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 “cave”, which in turn comes from “cavus”, which can be translated as “hollow”.
A cavern is a hole or hollow 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 inhabit this cave”, “The boy spent the night in a cave that he discovered in the middle of the forest”, “The archaeologists were surprised to find cave paintings in the cave”.
Caverns tend to be generated naturally from erosion. With the passage of time, the rocks can dissolve due to the acidity of the water, giving rise to this type of openings. In general, the caves are dark and have a high level of humidity, since sunlight cannot enter.
In ancient times, prehistoric human beings and their ancestors used to use caves as a home or refuge. From this practice derives the notion of “cave man”, also called caveman. It is considered that the term “cave man” began to be used at the time that Neanderthal remains were discovered.
Speleology is called the scientific specialty dedicated to the analysis of caves. Speleologists study how caves are formed, their characteristics and the species that inhabit them.
The Carlsbad Caverns National Park, in the United States, is one of the many places in the world that are noted for their caverns. In this case, the region has more than eighty caves. In Latin America, for its part, the caverns of the Nus River in Colombia stand out.
Speaking of cavern 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 the stage. And it is that the original approach that he uses to explain it comes from a series of men who since they were born have found themselves living chained inside a cave of that type.
“La caverna”, or “A caverna” in itsoriginal language, is a novel written by the Portuguese José Saramago that was presented in 2000. At the beginning of 2001, the Spanish translation was launched, developed by Saramago’s own wife: Pilar del Río.
Within the cinematographic field, we have to highlight the film entitled “The Cursed Cave”, 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 of the adventures faced by scientists who, while investigating an ancient abbey, discover a series of mysterious caves.
