Bronze Age Dolmens Uncovered in Spain

The Teba necropolis at La Lentejuela ancient burial site has brought to light thirteen stone structures and over a hundred tombs, unveiling a treasure trove of artifacts, such as pottery, jewelry, and tools. These findings have provided valuable insight into the burial customs and daily lives of the people who once inhabited the area.

The ancient burial site near Malaga has been a source of fascination for historians and archaeologists since its discovery in 2005. It dates back to 4,000 BC and was later once again used during the Bronze Age between 2200 BC and 800 BC. The Antequera Site in Malaga and its three large dolmens (Menga, Viera, and El Romeral) is an iconic example of such 

Recent work on dolmens

A team of researchers from the University of Cadiz (UCA) has been working to delve further into two megalithic Bronze Age dolmens found here. These burial portals were built over six thousand years ago and revisited during the Bronze Age, when they were used to entomb the bodies of elite members of society.

Archaeologists used drones, 3D scans, photogrammetry, precision topography through differential GPS and infrared/laser topography to date the site.

Descubren dos nuevos dólmenes en la necrópolis megalítica de Teba https://t.co/TQr3Afteug vía @SER_Antequera pic.twitter.com/XG2lrbPmia

— SER Andalucía Centro Antequera (@SER_Antequera) August 1, 2023

How did dolmens come about?

A dolmen is a type of megalithic tomb typical during the Neolithic and Bronze Ages. These structures, among the earliest architectural feats of human societies, are found across Europe, Asia and Africa. Typically, dolmens consist of large upright stones supporting a horizontal capstone and resembling a table. They are often referred to as portals to the afterlife.

In ancient times, dolmens were used to enshrine the remains of the deceased, along with grave goods such as pottery, tools, and ornaments. Many dolmens have eroded from environmental exposure and human activities, appearing as grassy mounds.

The recently explored dolmen “Funeral Structure 1” features an angled corridor leading to an antechamber vertical upright stones and a burial chamber separated by two steep stelae.Archaeologists discovered one of the dolmens during the second campaign of archaeological excavations as part of the research project “Monumentality, time, and society: The megalithic phenomenon in the necropolis of La Lentejuela”.

Serafin Becerra, a researcher at UCA, said, “The peoples of the Bronze Age put their dead in this tomb and even create[d] small spaces within the dolmen to bury them individually, or in couples”.

Megalithic structures

The distribution of Spanish dolmens varies widely across regions such as Andalusia, Extremadura, and Galicia, with over 1,300 known dolmens in Andalusia alone.

The study of Bronze Age burial dolmens continues to highlight the complexities of ancient societies that once inhabited Europe. These enduring monuments provide valuable insight into the cultural richness and profound after-death rituals practiced by our distant ancestors.