The earliest cave dwellings on the Spanish island of Gran Canaria were built by the Guanche, a Neolithic people who first inhabited the Canary Islands. The underground homes – or 'cuevas' – developed over the centuries from simple structures containing a fire pit into more sophisticated houses and even places of worship.

These cave homes are in La Atalaya and were photographed in the early to mid-20th century. Nowadays, many of the islanders still live in modernized cave homes. Tourists today can stay in the pretty white-washed cuevas, some of which have wood-burning stoves, full kitchens, and swimming pools.

Rare vintage photos show how home life has changed over the centuries