Necrópolis de Arteara, Archaeological burial site in San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Spain
Necrópolis de Arteara is a burial site containing more than 800 grave structures made from local stones, spread across approximately 37,535 square meters along the Fataga ravine. The structures show different architectural forms, from conical to rectangular shapes, all built using dry stone construction techniques.
The cemetery dates from the 5th century BC and served as a burial ground for the indigenous Guanche people over a period of 2,500 years. This long period of use documents the continuous settlement and cultural practices of the island community.
The burial structures display different social ranks through their varied shapes like truncated cones, pyramids, circles, and rectangles. This variety in construction forms reveals how important it was to distinguish between different social groups in burial practices.
The site is reached through a visitor center that offers information and guided tours. Access is straightforward, and visitors should be prepared for uneven terrain and sun protection, as the burial ground lies in open landscape.
The grave chambers were built from stones originating from a massive landslide from the nearby mountain La Cogolla. This geological connection shows how people integrated natural events into their burial practices.
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