• About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Archaeology News
  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum
Archaeology News
No Result
View All Result
Home News Archaeology

Two megalithic dolmens discovered at the La Lentejuela Teba necropolis in Spain

by Dario Radley
July 30, 2023

A team of researchers from the University of Cádiz (UCA), has uncovered two megalithic dolmens at the La Lentejuela Teba necropolis, an ancient burial site near Malaga in southern Spain.

Two megalithic dolmens discovered at the La Lentejuela Teba necropolis in Spain
Credit: University of Cádiz

The excavations, carried out as part of the project “Monumentality, time and Society: The megalithic phenomenon in the necropolis of La Lentejuela,” employed a range of advanced technologies, including drone aerial photography, photogrammetry, 3D digital scanning, differential GNSS, and precise topography utilizing total stations, to meticulously document the ancient structures.

The La Lentejuela Teba necropolis, already recognized for its historical significance, has been a focal point of exploration. Previous excavations revealed 13 structures, each unveiling valuable insights into the lives of ancient inhabitants through artifacts such as pottery, jewelry, and tools. However, recent research has taken the site’s significance to a new level.

Dolmens, ancient megalithic structures that served various functions across cultures and regions, were typically constructed during the Neolithic period, between 4500 and 2000 BCE.

These enigmatic monuments, composed of large vertical stones supporting a massive horizontal capstone, played a crucial role in the burial practices of early agricultural societies. Although the term “dolmen” has Celtic origins, these architectural marvels predate the arrival of the Celts by centuries.

RelatedStories

Enigmatic Carnac megaliths reveal Europe's earliest monuments

Enigmatic Carnac megaliths reveal Europe’s earliest monuments

June 27, 2025
4,000-year-old cemeteries and rock art reveal forgotten ritual landscape of Morocco’s Tangier Peninsula

4,000-year-old cemeteries and rock art reveal forgotten ritual landscape of Morocco’s Tangier Peninsula

May 14, 2025

One of the newly discovered dolmens, now referred to as Funeral Structure 1, has captured the attention of the archaeological community. Professor Serafín Becerra, who led the excavation, explained that this dolmen features an angled corridor leading to an antechamber, distinguished by two vertical orthostats. This architectural arrangement is characteristic of the Neolithic and Bronze Ages.

The researchers’ findings suggest that Funeral Structure 1 was originally constructed at the end of the 4th millennium BCE. However, the dolmen experienced a resurgence of activity during the Bronze Age, around the 3rd millennium BCE.

During this period, individuals of elevated social status were laid to rest within the dolmen, a testament to the perceived significance and power of these elites in the eyes of their contemporaries.

Eduardo Vijande, a prehistory professor at UCA, elaborated on the design of Funeral Structure 1, noting that the corridor’s curved shape led to an antechamber demarcated by two vertical stones. These stones, known as orthostats, separated the antechamber from the burial chamber, creating distinct compartments within the dolmen.

The practice of creating smaller spaces within the dolmen for individual or dual burials underscores the cultural nuances and practices of Bronze Age societies. Serafín Becerra emphasized that these burials were reserved for individuals of particular social importance, a fact that is further highlighted by the effort and resources invested in constructing these elaborate tombs.

The La Lentejuela Teba necropolis adds a significant contribution to the broader landscape of megalithic phenomena in Spain. The region boasts numerous dolmens, with notable concentrations in Andalusia, Extremadura, and Galicia.

Andalusia alone is home to over 1,300 dolmens, with the Antequera Dolmens Site standing as a prime example of Bronze Age megalithic construction, featuring three prominent dolmens.

The recent excavations at La Lentejuela Teba reinforce the notion that these enigmatic structures were not static monuments of the past but dynamic testaments to the evolving cultural practices and beliefs of ancient societies.

(This article is based on information from multiple reliable sources)

ShareTweetShareShareSend

You May Also Like...

Early humans used ochre for advanced toolmaking at Blombos Cave, study finds
Archaeology

Early humans used ochre for advanced toolmaking at Blombos Cave, study finds

July 1, 2025
Ancient DNA reveals rare leprosy strain in the Americas thousands of years before European contact
Anthropology

Ancient DNA reveals rare leprosy strain in the Americas thousands of years before European contact

July 1, 2025
British archaeologists uncover lost Egyptian city of Imet with rare tower houses and temple to cobra goddess Wadjet
Archaeology

British archaeologists uncover lost Egyptian city of Imet with rare tower houses and temple to cobra goddess Wadjet

June 30, 2025
Intact 7th century Etruscan tomb discovered in San Giuliano necropolis near Rome
Archaeology

Intact 7th century Etruscan tomb discovered in San Giuliano necropolis near Rome

June 30, 2025
DNA reveals female-centered society in 9,000-year-old Neolithic city of Çatalhöyük
Anthropology

DNA reveals female-centered society in 9,000-year-old Neolithic city of Çatalhöyük

June 29, 2025
Rare 1,800-year-old Roman soldier’s wrist purse unearthed in Czech Republic reveals life on the empire’s frontier
Archaeology

Rare 1,800-year-old Roman soldier’s wrist purse unearthed in Czech Republic reveals life on the empire’s frontier

June 28, 2025

Follow us


Instagram
247K

Facebook
110K

Threads
43K

LinkedIn
12K

Twitter
6K

YouTube
1K
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

May 18, 2025
Genetic study reveals the origin and diversity of the Huns

European Huns were not of Turkic origin but had ancient Siberian roots, linguistic study reveals

June 24, 2025
Secrets of the mysterious Gobi wall revealed: archaeologists uncover imperial purpose behind 200-mile structure

Secrets of the mysterious Gobi wall revealed: archaeologists uncover imperial purpose behind 200-mile structure

May 28, 2025
Rare 1,800-year-old Roman soldier’s wrist purse unearthed in Czech Republic reveals life on the empire’s frontier

Rare 1,800-year-old Roman soldier’s wrist purse unearthed in Czech Republic reveals life on the empire’s frontier

June 28, 2025
Sinkhole in York uncovers remains of medieval St Leonard’s Hospital, one of northern England’s largest

Sinkhole in York uncovers remains of medieval St Leonard’s Hospital, one of northern England’s largest

June 22, 2025
$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius' eruption

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius’ eruption

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado's expedition

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado’s expedition

Early humans used ochre for advanced toolmaking at Blombos Cave, study finds

Early humans used ochre for advanced toolmaking at Blombos Cave, study finds

July 1, 2025
Ancient DNA reveals rare leprosy strain in the Americas thousands of years before European contact

Ancient DNA reveals rare leprosy strain in the Americas thousands of years before European contact

July 1, 2025
British archaeologists uncover lost Egyptian city of Imet with rare tower houses and temple to cobra goddess Wadjet

British archaeologists uncover lost Egyptian city of Imet with rare tower houses and temple to cobra goddess Wadjet

June 30, 2025
Intact 7th century Etruscan tomb discovered in San Giuliano necropolis near Rome

Intact 7th century Etruscan tomb discovered in San Giuliano necropolis near Rome

June 30, 2025
DNA reveals female-centered society in 9,000-year-old Neolithic city of Çatalhöyük

DNA reveals female-centered society in 9,000-year-old Neolithic city of Çatalhöyük

June 29, 2025

Archaeology News online magazine

Archaeology News is an international online magazine that covers all aspects of archaeology.











Categories

  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • Download
  • Game
  • News
    • Anthropology
    • Archaeology
    • Paleontology
  • Quiz
  • Tours

Subscribe to our newsletter

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum

About  .  Contact  .  Donation

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved

We use cookies to improve your experience and enable functionality and security of this site. Further detail is available in our Privacy Policy. By accepting all cookies, you consent to our use of cookies and use of data.