Nationwide drought reveals ‘Spanish Stonehenge’ « Euro Weekly News

Nationwide drought reveals ‘Spanish Stonehenge’

The Dolmen of Guadalperal Credit: CreativeCommons/Pleonr

AFTER 50 years of being hidden, an ancient Spanish marvel has emerged from its depths, capturing the attention of a nation that barely knew of its existence. 

This prehistoric secret of The Dolmen of Guadalperal, in Extramadura, often referred to as the Spanish Stonehenge, has been hidden beneath the waters for just over five decades now. Much like it’s British namesake, of which it predates by a few thousand years, it is made up of a circle of megalithic stones that are actually believed to date back to 5000 BC. Due to the nationwide drought that Spain is currently suffering, it has recently resurfaced from the Valdecanas reservoir, whose water is now sitting at just 28 per cent of its capacity. 

The Dolmen of Guadalperal was discovered in 1926 by Hugo Obermaier, a German archaeologist. A massive stone marks the entrance to this ancient mystery, and marked on it are two engravings: a human figure and an unidentified symbol. This is just one of the 150 megaliths that stand tall at the site that researchers have stated was possibly used for ritual purposes, including being a sun-worshipping temple, as the dolmen’s orientation likely aligned with the summer solstice.

Enrique Cedillo, who is an Archaeologist at Madrid’s Complutense University, explained how rare this occurrence is.  “It’s a surprise, it’s a rare opportunity to be able to access it.” He, along with other experts in the field, rushed to examine the structure before it is sent under the water once more when the rains of February fall. 

As the rainy season of Spain comes close, the Spanish Stonehenge will surely soon be submerged once again, although there are some local groups that are currently advocating for relocating the site to higher ground to prevent this. 

At least for now, this mysterious monument awaits its watery fate, and after sparking curiosity across the land, will once again take its secrets under the water. 

Written by

Jennifer Popplewell

Jennifer is a proud northerner from Sheffield, England, who is currently living in Spain. She loves swimming in rivers, talking to the stars and eating luxurious chocolate.

Comments


    • Chris

      27 December 2023 • 20:05

      I live in Extremadura and it’s a wonderful region for discovery. There are lots of areas with dolmens, neolithic paintings, though it’s the Roman, Moors, Visigoths and medieval locations that draw people. I would say ‘crowds’, but that’s what I Iove most; the ability to explore in peace.

    • Linda

      29 December 2023 • 23:28

      Very interesting but the grammar needs a bit of attention.

      • John Smith

        30 December 2023 • 17:26

        Thank you for your observation Linda and the grammar has been corrected.

    Comments are closed.