|
Prehistoric Spain:
|
Although Spain is not traditionally known for its megaliths, it
nevertheless possesses numerous dolmens, menhirs, cromlechs and other
interesting prehistoric sites.
Quick links:
|
'Traditionally it
was maintained that the Neolithic appeared first in the east and
afterwards in the west. Recent evidence, however, reveals a more complex
pattern. The existence of very early radiocarbon dates of the early
eighth millennium B.P. in several caves of western Andalucia suggests
that there was a nucleus of Neolithic development here which was
independent from that observed in the rest of Iberia (Acosta 1987)',
(1)
|
Featured Spanish Locations: |
Altamira
- Magdalenian Cave-Art.
The Cave art at
Altamira was the first ever discovered in Europe, so early in
fact that unfortunately the discoverer was pilloried for the
rest of his life as a charlatan. Today the artwork is recognised
for its excellence, both in style, colour, and artistic
technical expertise, but also because of the numerous animals
that were painted into the natural 3-dimensional distortions of
the ceiling, something which is only seen less than 20 caves in
all of Europe.
(More
about Altamira)
|
 Cueva
de Menga complex
-
Antequera.
Cueva de Menga is the largest of three
substantial passage mounds in the area.
It is considered to be one of the largest
such structures in Europe. Running twenty-five metres deep, five metres
wide and four metres high, it was built with thirty-two megaliths, the
largest weighing about 180 tonnes.
The entrance to the dolmen faces the
anthropomorphic Pena de los Enamorados in the distance.
(More
about Cueva da Menga complex)
(Top-50
Megaliths of All Time) |
|
 Los
Milllares
– Neolithic Fortress.
Extensive remains of a megalithic
settlement/fortress were discovered, which include a vast cemetery, dwellings, metal
workshops and several chambered mounds surrounded by stone-circles.
The settlement flourished between 5,100 B.P. and 4,500 B.P. several
'Tholos' similar to those seen in Mycenaean
Greece.
The main site is that of a
Neolithic walled Citadel and passage tomb cemetery, but there are 12
orbital forts and at least two other 'necroplis' on adjoining hilltops.
The site includes several reconstructed parts.
(More about Los Millares) |
|
 Extremadora:
Neolithic complex with over a hundred known
prehistoric sites in a region now divided by the
Spanish/Portuguese border.
A few kilometres away in the Cáceres province of the Extremadura region of Spain 42 dolmen comprise
one of the most important collections in Europe around Valencia de
Alcántara. There are believed to be fourteen more whose location is no
longer known. The tourist authority in Valencia de Alcántara have set up
megalithic routes Ruta de los Dólmenes.
(Click here for More)
Nearby
and just across the Spanish border is the
Menhir of Meada,
the tallest single standing stone in the Iberian peninsular.
|
|
 'Dolmen'
de Soto
- Andalucia. (Passage mound/Dolmen)
Contains engravings on several of
the orthostats.
It was discovered by Don Armando de
Soto in 1922. Is the more important prehistoric monument of the province
of Huelva.
(More about Soto soon) |
|
List and Description of Featured Spanish Sites: |
(Prehistoric
Portugal)
|
