Archaeological area of Barranco de Balos, Archaeological site in Agüimes, Spain
The Archaeological area of Barranco de Balos is a site in a natural canyon on Gran Canaria containing numerous rock engravings distributed across ten different sectors. The carved and abraded patterns range from simple geometric shapes to animal figures and inscriptions.
The rock engravings were created by ancient Canarian inhabitants using techniques such as pecking, incision, and abrasion to carve their work into stone. These pieces date to the period before Spanish conquest of the islands.
The rock art displays inscriptions with Libyan-Berber influences, alongside geometric patterns and zoomorphic figures that reflect the artistic expression of early island inhabitants. These depictions offer insight into what mattered to these people and how they saw their world.
The site is accessible through guided tours that provide detailed information about the archaeological findings. Visitors should maintain distance from the engravings and walk carefully to help preserve these delicate historical pieces.
The site required extensive restoration after vandalism damage, with a major project beginning in 2007 that highlighted how fragile these ancient artworks are. Since then, enhanced protection measures have been put in place to prevent further harm.
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