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Archaeologists in Teba, Málaga, announced the discovery of a monumental dolmen measuring 13 meters with 2-meter walls. The find contains ossuaries and prestigious objects that indicate long-distance trade networks.
The discovery of a stone tomb with about 5.000 years in the necropolis of La Lentejuela, rural area of Teba (province of Málaga, Andalusia), was confirmed by researchers from University of Cadiz. The monument measures 13 meters long, has orthostats with about Meters 2 and was used as mass burial, according to the team.
Considered “one of the most monumental and well preserved” of the region, the dolmen keeps several ossuaries and a set of help on arrowheads, blades, One halberd and parts of ivory e amber, And seashells. The presence of coastal items in an inland area suggests long distance exchange and symbolic prestige of the sea to prehistoric communities.
The structure was excavated over four campaigns and is part of a project supported by Teba Town Hall, Junta de Andalucía e Palarq Foundation. The findings are still under analysis, with new dates and studies to be released.
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Where the stone tomb was discovered: Theba enters the map of Iberian megalithism
Teba is located in the interior of Malaga, in southern Spain, and is home to the megalithic necropolis of La Lentejuela. The new dolmen, identified as Dolmen I, expands knowledge about megalithism in the extreme south of the peninsula and reinforces the scientific value of the site to understand funeral practices do 3rd millennium BC
For the Brazilian public, the case relates to other notable Iberian megaliths and helps to compare funerary architectures European. The size and state of preservation of the Andalusian monument allow us to observe construction details that are rare in tombs from that period.
In addition to Theba, Spain preserves emblematic megaliths, such as the Dolmen of Guadalperal (on the banks of the Tagus), a reference frequently cited to understand the regional context.
What archaeologists found: ossuaries, weapons, and exotic raw materials
Inside the corridor and its internal compartments, the team recorded multiple ossuaries e prestigious objects produced with non-local raw materialsas the African ivory e Sicilian amber, And shells. Among the weapons, one stands out halberd — spear with axe blade at the tip — associated with elites and rituals in European prehistory.
According to a statement from University of Cadiz, the association of seashells to an interior territory indicates long distance exchanges and symbolic value of the sea; the lithic set includes arrowheads e large format blades. These data support hypotheses about economic networks e social status in the southern Iberian Peninsula five millennia ago.
Independent reports in specialized media confirm measures, funerary function e layette profile described by the team, reinforcing the reliability of information for the archaeological community.
How the excavation went: four campaigns and ongoing research
The dolmen was investigated in four seasons by a team led by Eduardo Vijande e Serafín Becerra, from the group Thalassa (UCA). The project “Monumentality, time and society” integrates efforts of field, student training e archaeological analyses. The goal is to detail chronology, use e circulation of materials on the site.
A SER chain and Europa Press reported the discovery and institutional support, pointing out 13 meters long e exceptional conservation of the monument, in addition to the presence of osaries e exotic ajuares.
The research will continue with datings, isotopic studies e regional comparisons, which can redefine aspects of the trade and the ideology in Andalusian megalithism. Additional results are expected as laboratory analysis progresses.
What were dolmens used for: tomb, territorial marker and possible solar alignment
Dolmens are megalithic structures multifunctional in European prehistory. They served primarily as mass graves, but studies also suggest territorial markers de land ownership in agricultural societies and possible alignments with solar eventsas the solstices.
In the case of Theba, the funerary function is proven by ossuaries e help. Future investigations will evaluate guidance, internal architecture and interactions with the landscape to test ritual and astronomical hypotheses. Careful preservation e interdisciplinary studies will be decisive.
We want to hear from you. The dolmen must be open to visitors after studies, or kept closed to preserve context and reduce impact? Leave your opinion in the comments and tell us if solar alignments should guide the future of the site as much as the scientific analysis.
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