Gran Canaria archaeological sites

Prehistoric Gran Canaria

Explore the prehistoric heritage of the ancient Canarians through these significant archaeological landmarks. This collection includes the extensive volcanic granaries of Cenobio de Valerón, the geometric wall paintings of Cueva Pintada, and the massive Arteara Necropolis containing over 800 tombs. These sites showcase sophisticated dry-stone architecture, coastal settlements like Tufia and El Agujero, and ritualistic cave complexes such as Cuatro Puertas, providing concrete evidence of the social and agricultural systems of the island's original inhabitants.

Prehistoric Gran Canaria — Map

Felix König / CC BY 3.0

A

Valeron Monastery

Valerón's "monastery" is an archaeological site on the Spanish island of Grand Canary, in the municipality of Santa Maria de Guia, on…

Victor R. Ruiz / CC BY-SA 2.0

B

Arteara Necropolis

This huge necropolis is an archaeological site consisting of more than 800 tomb structures of the Ancient Canarians.

Abel-Arkeós / CC BY-SA 4.0

C

Four Doors cave site, Telde

The Four Doors site, also known as Montaña Bermeja, 'Vermillion Mountain', is a complex of caves in the south of the municipality of Telde,…

D

Cueva Pintada de Galdar

An archaeological park and museum featuring a pre-Hispanic settlement centered around a cave decorated with unique geometric polychrome wall paintings, representing the symbolic life of the island's ancient inhabitants.

Victor R. Ruiz / CC BY-SA 2.0

E

Yacimiento Arqueológico de Botija

A coastal archaeological site consisting of dry-stone residential structures and agricultural spaces used by the pre-Hispanic population for farming and fishing.

F

Grabados Rupestres del Barranco de Balos

One of the Canary Islands' most important rock art sites, featuring a high concentration of pre-Hispanic petroglyphs, including geometric patterns, human figures, and inscriptions carved into the ravine walls.

G

Poblado de Tufia

A coastal settlement comprising dry-stone houses and artificial caves, demonstrating how ancient Canarians utilized natural topography for habitation near the sea.

H

Poblado del Agujero

A significant pre-Hispanic coastal village featuring a complex of circular dry-stone houses and communal structures located near the Gáldar necropolis.

I

Punta Mujeres

A pre-Hispanic coastal settlement in the south of Gran Canaria, consisting of several dry-stone residential structures that highlight the maritime lifestyle of the ancient Canarians.

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