Monument Resurfaces After Decades Underwater
A severe, year-long drought in western Spain has unearthed an extraordinary archaeological treasure: a 5,000-year-old megalithic structure dubbed the “Spanish Stonehenge.” Hidden beneath the Valdecañas Reservoir for over half a century, this prehistoric monument is now fully visible as water levels have drastically dropped due to extreme climate conditions.
Located in Peraleda de la Mata in the Extremadura region, the site—officially known as the Dolmen of Guadalperal—features 144 granite stones, each towering over six feet in height. Its reappearance is generating excitement among archaeologists and locals alike, offering a rare glimpse into a forgotten past.A Forgotten Site with Echoes of Stonehenge
The arrangement of the stones bears a striking resemblance to the iconic Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England, though on a smaller scale. While the British site comprises 93 massive stones and spans roughly 10,800 square feet, the Spanish version is more compact but boasts a greater number of stones. The resemblance has earned it the nickname “Spanish Stonehenge.”
Despite the size differences, the symbolic and ritualistic similarities between the two structures are evident. Experts believe both were likely used for ceremonial purposes tied to solar worship.A Temple to the Sun: Origins and Purpose
The Dolmen of Guadalperal is believed to have been constructed by prehistoric Celtic communities who inhabited the Iberian Peninsula over 4,000 years ago. Some stones were likely transported from more than five kilometers away to create a sacred temple aligned with the sun. A central chamber once stood at the heart of the structure, possibly used during rituals marking celestial events.“This was a solar temple,” said Ángel Castaño, president of the Peraleda Cultural Association. “People had heard stories about it, but few had ever seen it. Now, we want to protect it and share it with the world.”Franco’s Dam and the Site’s Submersion
The monument was first documented in 1925 by German priest and amateur archaeologist Hugo Obermaier. However, the site was submerged in the 1960s after General Francisco Franco ordered the construction of a hydroelectric dam on the Tagus River. Despite concerns from archaeologists, the area was flooded, effectively burying the dolmen beneath the reservoir’s surface.The current drought has exposed the site once more, but the opportunity to study it may be fleeting.The Race to Save a Crumbling Relic
Time is running out to preserve the Dolmen of Guadalperal. The granite stones, though durable, are porous and vulnerable to prolonged exposure to water. Years underwater have already taken their toll, and further submersion could cause irreversible erosion.
Castaño recently met with regional government officials to urge them to act swiftly. “If we don’t move them now, it could be decades before they are visible again—and by then, they may be too damaged to save,” he warned.Broader Implications for European Prehistory
Radiocarbon dating places the construction of the Spanish dolmen between 4,000 and 5,000 years ago, making it roughly as old—or even older—than Stonehenge. The find adds weight to theories that the tradition of erecting megalithic monuments was not isolated to the British Isles but widespread across Europe.
A 2024 study by researchers at the University of Gothenburg suggests that the architectural knowledge to build such monuments likely spread via maritime routes, beginning in northwest France around 6,500 years ago and gradually extending to other regions. The Spanish site’s reemergence could offer further evidence supporting these theories.Future Preservation and Tourism Potential
Local advocates are pushing for the stones to be permanently relocated to higher ground along the reservoir’s banks. Such a move would not only preserve the site but also promote tourism in the sparsely visited Extremadura region.
While the long-term preservation plan remains uncertain, the reappearance of the “Spanish Stonehenge” has rekindled interest in Europe’s ancient past—and underscored the urgency of protecting its vulnerable remnants before they are lost once more.
A severe, year-long drought in western Spain has unearthed an extraordinary archaeological treasure: a 5,000-year-old megalithic structure dubbed the “Spanish Stonehenge.” Hidden beneath the Valdecañas Reservoir for over half a century, this prehistoric monument is now fully visible as water levels have drastically dropped due to extreme climate conditions.
Located in Peraleda de la Mata in the Extremadura region, the site—officially known as the Dolmen of Guadalperal—features 144 granite stones, each towering over six feet in height. Its reappearance is generating excitement among archaeologists and locals alike, offering a rare glimpse into a forgotten past.A Forgotten Site with Echoes of StonehengeThe arrangement of the stones bears a striking resemblance to the iconic Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England, though on a smaller scale. While the British site comprises 93 massive stones and spans roughly 10,800 square feet, the Spanish version is more compact but boasts a greater number of stones. The resemblance has earned it the nickname “Spanish Stonehenge.”
Despite the size differences, the symbolic and ritualistic similarities between the two structures are evident. Experts believe both were likely used for ceremonial purposes tied to solar worship.A Temple to the Sun: Origins and PurposeThe Dolmen of Guadalperal is believed to have been constructed by prehistoric Celtic communities who inhabited the Iberian Peninsula over 4,000 years ago. Some stones were likely transported from more than five kilometers away to create a sacred temple aligned with the sun. A central chamber once stood at the heart of the structure, possibly used during rituals marking celestial events.“This was a solar temple,” said Ángel Castaño, president of the Peraleda Cultural Association. “People had heard stories about it, but few had ever seen it. Now, we want to protect it and share it with the world.”Franco’s Dam and the Site’s Submersion
The monument was first documented in 1925 by German priest and amateur archaeologist Hugo Obermaier. However, the site was submerged in the 1960s after General Francisco Franco ordered the construction of a hydroelectric dam on the Tagus River. Despite concerns from archaeologists, the area was flooded, effectively burying the dolmen beneath the reservoir’s surface.The current drought has exposed the site once more, but the opportunity to study it may be fleeting.The Race to Save a Crumbling Relic
Time is running out to preserve the Dolmen of Guadalperal. The granite stones, though durable, are porous and vulnerable to prolonged exposure to water. Years underwater have already taken their toll, and further submersion could cause irreversible erosion.
Castaño recently met with regional government officials to urge them to act swiftly. “If we don’t move them now, it could be decades before they are visible again—and by then, they may be too damaged to save,” he warned.Broader Implications for European PrehistoryRadiocarbon dating places the construction of the Spanish dolmen between 4,000 and 5,000 years ago, making it roughly as old—or even older—than Stonehenge. The find adds weight to theories that the tradition of erecting megalithic monuments was not isolated to the British Isles but widespread across Europe.
A 2024 study by researchers at the University of Gothenburg suggests that the architectural knowledge to build such monuments likely spread via maritime routes, beginning in northwest France around 6,500 years ago and gradually extending to other regions. The Spanish site’s reemergence could offer further evidence supporting these theories.Future Preservation and Tourism PotentialLocal advocates are pushing for the stones to be permanently relocated to higher ground along the reservoir’s banks. Such a move would not only preserve the site but also promote tourism in the sparsely visited Extremadura region.
While the long-term preservation plan remains uncertain, the reappearance of the “Spanish Stonehenge” has rekindled interest in Europe’s ancient past—and underscored the urgency of protecting its vulnerable remnants before they are lost once more.
