In the Bosom of the Earth. A New Megalithic Monument at the Antequera World Heritage Site (Spain)

Antequera in southern Spain is widely recognised as an

outstanding example of the European megalithic phenomenon.

One of its most remarkable features is the

evident relationship between conspicuous natural formations

and human-built monuments. Here, the

authors report the results of their investigation of a

tomb newly discovered at the site of Piedras Blancas

at the foot of La Peña de los Enamorados, a limestone

massif that dominates the Antequera plain. Excavation

and multidisciplinary study, including geological,

architectural and archaeoastronomical investigations,

have revealed a complex funerary monument that is

part natural, part built, part hypogeum, part megalith.

The results emphasise the centrality of La Peña in the

Neolithicworldviewand encourage wider investigation

of prehistoric place-making.

Iberia. Neolithic. Copper Age. Bronze Age. Megalithic architecture. Geological formations. Burial practices.