Dolmen de La Pastora, Prehistoric passage grave in Valencina de la Concepción, Spain
Dolmen de La Pastora is a passage grave with a 43-meter-long corridor built from drystone walls and covered by limestone and granite slabs. The structure leads to a circular burial chamber roughly 2.5 meters across, sealed by a single massive granite capstone.
This monument was built during the Chalcolithic period, more than 5000 years ago. Excavations in 1860 uncovered 27 copper arrowheads within the burial mound, providing evidence of the burial customs of that ancient time.
This place served as a burial ground where families performed ceremonies to honor their dead in a shared funeral chamber. The circular shape of the burial space shows how important ritual and community were to the people who built it thousands of years ago.
Access to the site requires advance planning, as guided visits must be arranged beforehand. Plan to spend time exploring the lengthy passageway, and check opening hours before your visit.
Unlike other regional tombs oriented toward the sunrise, this structure faces the sunset, suggesting the builders made a deliberate astronomical choice. This unusual orientation makes it stand out among similar monuments in the area.
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