Cancho Roano

Cancho Roano is an archaeological site located in the municipality of Zalamea de la Serena. It is the best preserved Tartessian site and dates back to at least the sixth century BCE, although the building was expanded and modified in later centuries. Based on the dating of objects found on the site, Cancho Roano is estimated to date from 550 BCE. The site was destroyed in a fire no later than 370 BCE. The building appears to have been ritually burned and sealed in rammed earth in a manner similar to Etruscan. The main body of the building is square and oriented toward the east. The building is surrounded by a deep moat, which was permanently filled with water. Although Cancho Roano's exact function is unknown, the religious character of the site is undeniable due to the presence of altars; however, the site may be a palace-shrine, judging from its defensive system.

The evident sacred character of the building and the presence of multiple cells have attracted the idea of a temple dedicated to sacred prostitution, possibly dedicated to the Phoenician deity Astarte. The hypothesis is supported by the presence of looms in two of the chambers, evoking the weavers of the goddess Asherah that worked as prostitutes in the ancient Temple of Jerusalem. Similar rites would have been identified on the iconography of other Phoenician sites in Hispania, like Gadir, Castulo and La Quéjola (Albacete). Another possibility would be a palace meant to accommodate a harem, whose members would likely act in sacred rites on the temple.

References:

• Wikipedia

Address

Zalamea de la Serena, Spain

Details

Founded: 550 BCE
Category: Prehistoric and archaeological sites in Spain