Dolmen of Guadalperal

Peraleda de la Mata, Spain

The Dolmen of Guadalperal, also known as the treasure of Guadalperal and as the Spanish Stonehenge for its resemblance to the English Stonehenge, is a megalithic monument dating from between 2000 and 3000 BC in Peraleda de la Mata, a town in the region of Campo Arañuelo in eastern Extremadura, Spain. The monument is within the Valdecañas reservoir in the Tagus River and is only visible when the water level allows it.

The dolmen consists of 150 granite stones, called orthostats, placed in a vertical arrangement to form an ovoid chamber 5 metres in diameter. They are preceded by an access corridor about 21 metres long and 1.4 metres wide. At the end of the corridor, at the entrance of the chamber, there is a menhir about two metres high that has carving that might be a snake and several cups. It may be a representation of the river. These figures may have served as protection for the site. The chamber, of the anta type, a common construction in the west of the Iberian Peninsula, consists of 140 stones and was covered with a mound of earth and gravel. It is surrounded by another circular ring that contained the upper mound.

The monument was discovered in 1926, during a research and excavation campaign led by the German archaeologist Hugo Obermaier between 1925 and 1927. It could have been a solar temple, and also been used as a burial enclave. Roman remains found there – a coin, ceramic fragments, and a grinding stone – indicate that at that time it was safely preserved from looting. Eleven axes, ceramics, flint knives, and a copper punch were found in a nearby dump. A settlement was also found, dating to the time of construction, which presumably housed the builders. Obermaier discovered houses, charcoal and ash stains, pottery, mills, and stones to sharpen axes.

References:

Comments

Your name



Details

Founded: 3000-2000 BCE
Category: Prehistoric and archaeological sites in Spain

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

3.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Ana Maria Gallegos (23 months ago)
This was an amazing experience. It’s very difficult to get to. We knew someone who helped us see it. I am very happy it is not easy to access, as it seems very delicate. Enjoy the photo and video.
Chrystina Lotus (2 years ago)
It is not possible to see now. We went last weekend and it was already flooded. But the area is amazing and we found a walking route but it took 1,5-2 hours each way to the Stonehenge. Next summer we will go again and now we now what way we should go!
Asghar Khan (2 years ago)
A megalithic monument in Spain that's older than the Pyramids was recently uncovered from its watery hiding place by a drought. At 7000 years old, the "Spanish Stonehenge" It is actually some 2000 years older than Stonehenge itself.
Syazwan Ismail (2 years ago)
It's a surprise, it's a rare opportunity to be able to access it
Davi Small (2 years ago)
A Spanish "stonehenge" has reemerged amid the country's devastating drought, officials said. The Iberian peninsula where the dolman lives is at its driest in 1,200 years, as of August 2022, with winter rains expected to diminish further, a study published by the Nature Geoscience journal stated. The historic marvel, officially called the Dolmen of Guadalperal, has only been visible four times, according to officials. Experts believe the striking circle of dozens of megalithic stones has existed since 5000 BC. However, it was first discovered by German archaeologist Hugo Obermaier in 1926 before it became flooded in 1963 due to a rural development project under Francisco Franco's dictatorship.
Powered by Google

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Historic Site of the week

Château du Lude

The Château du Lude is one of the many great châteaux of the Loire Valley in France. Le Lude is the most northerly château of the Loire Valley and one of the last important historic castles in France, still inhabited by the same family for the last 260 years. The château is testimony to four centuries of French architecture, as a stronghold transformed into an elegant house during the Renaissance and the 18th century. The monument is located in the valley of Le Loir. Its gardens have evolved throughout the centuries.