**Nomads** ::HAB 
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Life in the Deba Valley during the Palaeolithic was neither static nor confined to a single cave. The human groups inhabiting the area were nomadic and formed part of the wider Franco-Cantabrian cultural sphere, a network of territories connected by shared spaces and traditions. Far from being isolated, the valley sat within a natural corridor close to the sea, bordered by limestone mountains and dotted with numerous caves that provided shelter and resources. The caves of Deba were linked to other major sites such as Ekain, Urtiaga, Santimamiñe, Isturitz and Altxerri, all belonging to the same cultural system. Although more than a hundred cave sites are known today, many more open-air camps must have existed, though their preservation and detection are much more difficult. The caves also fulfilled different functions: some were optimal for goat hunting, others for capturing fawns or serving as fishing shelters, revealing a highly specialized territory.
Nomadism also involved seasonal movements. Most cave occupations in the valley correspond to temperate periods of the year, while in winter groups likely moved towards areas closer to the sea or even north of the Pyrenees, where concentrations of migratory species, such as bisons, attracted different communities. These movements fostered encounters and connections in strategic locations like Isturitz, encouraging the exchange of knowledge, techniques and materials. Flint, for instance, originating from regions such as Urbasa, Barrika or Treviño, demonstrates the existence of mobility and communication networks established to obtain this valuable resource. Likewise, tools, portable art and cave paintings share stylistic and technical similarities across very distant territories, confirming the strong cultural links between Palaeolithic groups. The Deba Valley was, therefore, both a passageway and a dynamic living space, constantly connected with its surroundings and with other human communities.
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