Spain’s Stonehenge evokes nostalgia among archaeologists, having appeared and disappeared for decades, now re-emerging by the lakeside in this harsh summer.
According to Reuters, this is a great megalithic structure, consisting of several stones mostly arranged in a circle, long dubbed the “Stonehenge of Spain.” It was first discovered by German archaeologist Hugo Obermaier in 1926.
“Stonehenge of Spain” – (Photo: REUTERS)
This area has been flooded since 1963 due to a water diversion project aimed at developing the rural region, leaving archaeologists lamenting the mystery of the structure that remains unsolved.
Stonehenge itself is a mysterious stone circle in England, approximately 4,000-5,000 years old, with its purpose still unclear, although most evidence suggests it served as an ancient astronomical observatory.
Whether the structure in Spain serves a similar purpose remains a puzzle that scientists are racing to solve, as the “Stonehenge of Spain” may soon sink back into the water.
“Stonehenge of Spain” is not as perfect as the original Stonehenge; it appears to be more complex with multiple circles, some stones seemingly displaced by time.
“Stonehenge of Spain” aerial view – (Photo: REUTERS)
The Independent quotes archaeologist Enrique Cedillo from Complutense University in Madrid, one of the experts studying the structure, stating that this is a surprise and a rare opportunity to access it.
The structure is officially named Dolmen of Guadalperal, which dates back even further than Stonehenge. Preliminary studies suggest it dates back to 5000 BC.
The Dolmen currently lies at a corner of the Valdecanas reservoir in Central Caceres, where authorities report that the water level has dropped to 28% capacity.
Many similar structures have been found throughout Western Europe, most of which are smaller in scale, and it remains unclear who built them and for what purposes. Human remains have been discovered near some sites, complicating the mystery further.
