In all corners of the earth they know that Shulgan-Tash reserve is located in Bashkiria. The cave, which is located on its territory, brought this area world fame. Every day you can meet about 1000 tourists. But what makes the Shulgan-Tash cave so famous and why do so many travelers flock here?
Description of the cave
In the Bashkir Southern Urals, among all karst caves, Shulgan-Tash is considered the largest. It was formed four kilometers from the Belaya river in the Burzyansky district. The entrance, reminiscent of a large arch, is located on the southern side of the slope of Saryuskan. Shulgan-Tash Cave has an official name, which appears in the scientific literature. This is Kapova cave. Its height is 260 m, and the length of the object reaches 2 640 m.
Journey Inside the Cave
This cave is truly an awe-inspiring structure of nature. Its large entrance (48 m - width and 18 m - height) opens the way to a long corridor, in which there are many halls and galleries. Two kilometers from the cave, the Shulgan River flows, but suddenly it disappears. The fact is that the river falls into a karst funnel and continues on underground. It was its waters, eroding centuries-old limestones, that formed halls and corridors. But the waters of the river reappear in a stormy spring from under the cave on the left side of the entrance.
Shulgan-Tash Cave has three levels (some claim to be four). River water flows along the first floor. You can get to the third tier from the second floor through a well with steps. To see the lower floor, you need to go down the steep slope of the third tier.
There is something to see on each floor. For example, on the third there is a huge stalagmite, whose width is 8 meters. In the most remote halls and corridors, you can see calcite natyas of a snow-white color, corals and more. But the Shulgan-Tash cave is most impressive because of the shape of the rooms, especially if you think about the fact that they appeared as a result of the activity of a small river. The most favorite halls for tourists are the Risunky Hall, the Chaos Hall, the Diamond Hall, the Sign Hall .
Cave age
Kapova cave (Shulgan-Tash) is an ancient natural formation. It began to form about 3-5 million years ago. The entrance to the cave is considered modern, and of all three tiers, its middle floor is the oldest. It is estimated that it began to grow rapidly three million years ago. The lower tier is the “youngest” one; it formed about 15,000 years ago. This age is enough for ancient people to inhabit the cave at a certain time. Interestingly, primitive weapons and tools were discovered inside. The remains of small rodents and even a large bear were also identified.
Historical attraction
It is especially interesting for many tourists to consider drawings and signs that were painted by ancient residents. The images of animals prevail here: horses, rhinos and especially mammoths, there are unknown animals, signs, ordinary spots. Also, judging by some images, it can be concluded that the Shulgan-Tash cave was a sanctuary at one time. In total, about 50 colorful drawings of various types were revealed in the halls and corridors.
Images are on two tiers - middle and upper. To see the first drawing, you need to move 170 meters from the entrance. On two floors, wall applications vary in composition, but most of them are located not high from the floor. The smallest figure is 6 cm, and the largest is 1.6 m.
The archaeologists who conducted the research here suggest that many ceremonies took place in the cave, and among them - the process of initiation, that is, the transformation of a boy into a man. Perhaps it was here that ancient people became real warriors or hunters.
Such discoveries made the reserve and Kapova cave a world heritage. If earlier such valuable objects were only in Western Europe, now Bashkiria has entered these ranks.
Shulgan-Tash cave still presents surprises, because most recently, archaeologists discovered in it the skulls of several ancient people. This does not contradict the generally accepted opinion that before the heads of revered persons were buried separately from the body. This fact also proves that Kapova cave used to be a holy place in which rituals and ceremonies were held.