The small city of Antequera, in Andalusia, Spain, boasts a wealth of historical sites. The oldest of these are the three distinct dolmens from various prehistoric epochs. There is a fairly accurate entry in Wikipedia that details the history in great detail.
The first dolmen is roughly 6,000 years old! The interpretation center, which also offers paid tour guides, has models and images describing how t hey believe this dolmen was built. It is thought that the prehistoric inhabitants of the region pushed the large stones across the land and into pre-dug trenches, where they would fall into place. The roof pieces were, then, pushed into place. The earth beneath them would be slowly removed until the stone settled into place. This shows a degree of planning and teamwork that one might not expect in people of that period.
The Dolmen of Menga has, at its heart, a deep cylindrical hole of uncertain purpose. The remains of plants and animals were found while excavating the site.
Dolmen of Menga
These dolmen are hard to photograph in a way that looks authentic, as they artificially lit. The above image is of the entry to the dolmen, where a stone appears to support the roof. Consider, for a moment, the precision and planning of the builders, to be able to place this incredibly heavy stone to the right depth so that the roof would lie correctly, when lowered.
Dolmen of Viera
The Dolmen of Viera is situated quite close to the Dolmen of Menga and is significantly less old. The approach to this dolmen is a long chanel of moderately large stones and the interior is a bit more complex. It appears that, the more modern a dolmen is, the smaller the stones used to create it.
Beehive Tomb
The Beehive Tomb is not in the same place as the other two, and the walk takes about an hour. The route is mostly along the road and can be quite hot, so be sure to bring a bottle of water if you decide to make the trip on foot.
Upon entering this dolmen, it is immediately evident that the construction is more modern. It is comprised of many small stones, expertly stacked, in a multi-room structure. Being inside this one feels like stepping into an Indiana Jones movie! The furthest chamber of the dolmen is a tiny space.
There are many dolmens throughout Europe, but these are some very well-preserved examples. If you're an archaeology enthusiast, history buff, or just in the area they are well worth a visit.
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If you're going to be in the area, be sure to check out this post about castles in Andalusia, which includes the castle in Antequera.
Cheers!
— fotosdenada