Known as “Spanish Stonehenge,” the megalithic site consists of 144 granite boulders that are more than 6 feet high. It bears a striking resemblance to the Wiltshire UNESCO World Heritage site; however, the Iberian counterpart is composed of smaller rocks.
At Peraleda de la Mata, close to Cáceres in Extremadura, the Spanish General ordered the construction of a hydroelectric dam that was destined to be consigned to the annals of history in the 1960s.
But the structure has emerged as the rest of the water evaporated from the dry basin due to a severe and protracted drought. A year-long drought is wreaking havoc on Western Spain, and the Bronze Age structure—which is believed to be an old temple—is now visible.
The site was originally discovered in 1925 by German priest and amateur archaeologist Hugo Obermaier.
because of General Franco’s regrettable choice to flood a valley that borders the Tagus River, so condemning the location to obscurity.
However, it is believed that the stones would have surrounded a central chamber for sun worship prior to its rediscovery and eventual destruction.
It is thought that the building may have been constructed by the Celts who lived in Iberia 4,000 years ago.
“We believe this temple was used to worship the sun, but the stones were brought from about five kilometers away to form it,” Ángel Castaño, president of the Peraleda Cultural Association, told the Times.
It is obviously smaller than Stonehenge, but in that sense, it is similar.
Although they had never been seen, the locals had heard of them. Since not many people visit this location, we would like the authorities to move these stones to the reservoir’s banks and use them as a tourist attraction.
The massive boulders at Stonehenge can reach a length of thirty feet, making them much larger than the six-foot-tall solitary monoliths found in Spain. At the Spanish site, there are 1144 stones as opposed to Wiltshire’s 93.
But compared to the Spanish location, Stonehenge’s monument is far larger, spanning 10,800 square feet (10,000 square meters).
According to radiocarbon dating of the so-called “Spanish Stonehenge,” the stones are between 4,000 and 5,000 years old, which strangely connects them to Stonehenge’s past. Several early monuments (red) from a comparable era were discovered in northwest France, the Channel Islands, Catalonia, southwestern France, Corsica, and Sardinia. The earliest monolithic construction in Europe was discovered in Brittany and dates back to 4,794 BC.
Though long-term plans for the site’s preservation have not yet been established, yesterday’s meeting between Mr. Castaño and representatives of the regional administration addressed the issue. He warned that it might be many years before they are seen again if something is not done right away.
The stones, composed of porous granite that is prone to weathering, can likewise suffer catastrophically from an extended submersion. He stated that the monoliths are already exhibiting noticeable indications of deterioration and that it might be too late to save them.
According to radiocarbon dating, the discovered rocks are between 4,000 and 5,000 years old, which oddly connects them to Stonehenge’s past. Over time, neolithic people began to appear throughout Europe. They were frequently known for constructing monolithic buildings.
While it’s commonly acknowledged that Stonehenge’s bluestones were mined from Wales’ Priesli Hills and transported to their present site, it’s still unclear how the concept for the monument ended up in Britain.
Numerous recent studies have examined what may have caused this, and a scientific report released in February advanced the theory that seafarers dispersed the knowledge and skills necessary to build these monuments throughout Europe.
According to the University of Gothenburg writers, the custom of building massive stone monuments originated 6,500 years ago in France and spread throughout Europe as a result of migration.
Additional investigation into the Spanish Stonehenge may help to paint a more complete picture of the practice’s prevalence in various locations and at various points in time. It is currently believed that people who were originally from Anatolia, or what is now Turkey, traveled and settled in Iberia before eventually making their way north and into the British Isles.