Antequera - Ancient stone monument in Spain

  • Context: History 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Astronuc
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The Antequera site in Spain, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, features prehistoric megaliths and natural monuments, including the La Peña de los Enamorados. A recent study published in the journal Antiquity on April 15 highlights the discovery of the Piedras Blancas megalithic grave, constructed over 5,000 years ago. This tomb aligns with the summer solstice sunrise, showcasing advanced prehistoric engineering with its intricately arranged stone slabs. The site is located approximately 286 miles (460 km) SSW of Madrid.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of megalithic architecture
  • Familiarity with UNESCO World Heritage criteria
  • Knowledge of prehistoric engineering techniques
  • Awareness of the geographical context of Andalusia, Spain
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the construction techniques of megalithic structures in Europe
  • Explore the significance of astronomical alignments in ancient tombs
  • Investigate the history and cultural context of the Antequera Dolmens
  • Learn about the preservation efforts for UNESCO World Heritage sites
USEFUL FOR

Historians, archaeologists, cultural heritage professionals, and anyone interested in prehistoric architecture and ancient civilizations.

Astronuc
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
Gold Member
2025 Award
Messages
22,503
Reaction score
7,429
https://www.yahoo.com/news/ancient-stone-monument-spain-hid-152221762.html
The Antequera site has a mixture of human-made and “natural monuments” but is best known for its prehistoric megaliths, according to a study published April 15 in the journal Antiquity.

The human-made monuments include three stone structures built between the third and fourth millennium B.C. Antequera is an UNESCO world heritage site because of these megalithic constructions, the study said.

The “natural monuments” at the site include La Peña de los Enamorados, a stone “sleeping giant” that towers about 2,900 feet above the ground, researchers said.

Archaeologists unearthed a previously overlooked tomb: the Piedras Blancas megalithic grave. When seen from afar, the tomb “resembles the chest of the ‘sleeping giant,’” researchers said.

The rectangular stone structure was constructed at least 5,000 years ago, the study said. It was used for three distinct phases across a millennia before being abandoned between 1950 and 1180 B.C.

The tomb’s stone slabs were carefully arranged to coincide “with the summer solstice sunrise,” researchers said. Some of the “heavily engraved” slabs “appear to have been precisely placed to ‘funnel’ the light from the rising sun towards the back of the chamber at the summer solstice.”

A triangular, “arrow-like” stone stuck to the chamber floor with mud points in the direction of the rising sun, the study said.

The Antequera site is about 286 miles (460 km) SSW of Madrid.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antequera_Dolmens_Site
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antequera - Antequera lies 47 km north of the city of Málaga on the A45 highway,

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andalusia
 
  • Informative
Likes   Reactions: pinball1970
Science news on Phys.org
With thousands of years of history what other secrets are hiding in plain site?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
10K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
5K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K