Los Zumacales, Neolithic dolmen in Simancas, Spain
Los Zumacales is a prehistoric burial chamber with a circular layout built from large limestone blocks fitted together into a stone structure. A narrow corridor leads to the interior of this ancient tomb, which was constructed using carefully stacked stones.
The site dates to the Neolithic period and was built about 7500 years ago when early farmers first settled in this region. Scientific investigation in the 1980s uncovered the remains of more than 20 people buried across different periods.
The structure reveals how early communities honored their dead and the importance of shared burial spaces in their social life. It offers insight into the beliefs and values that shaped their way of living together.
The site is freely accessible and can be visited at any time without entrance fees. It makes sense to wear sturdy footwear and be careful during rain, as the surrounding area may have muddy patches.
The stones of this burial chamber are laid horizontally in layers rather than standing upright as in similar structures of the time. This unusual construction method makes it a notable variation in megalithic building practices of the period.
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