Menhir del Cabezo, Prehistoric menhir in Alcántara, Spain
The Menhir del Cabezo is an upright granite stone standing several meters tall near Alcántara, maintaining its original position for thousands of years. Its rough surface and solitary placement in open countryside make it a striking landmark that stands out from the surrounding terrain.
The stone was erected between 4000 and 3000 BCE during the Neolithic period by farming communities of the Iberian Peninsula. This era marked the beginning of a widespread practice of raising stone monuments that continued across generations.
The stone marks how early societies used the landscape for ritual purposes and gatherings. Visitors can sense the connection these ancient people felt with the land when standing near it.
The site can be reached on foot from Alcántara via marked paths that are generally easy to walk. Wearing sturdy shoes is recommended, and bringing water is important since the route crosses open countryside with little shade.
The stone's position aligns with sunrise on specific days of the year, suggesting early people may have used it as a calendar marker. This precise alignment shows its placement was carefully planned rather than random.
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