Spain is one of the best archaeological places in the world. Along with Egypt or Italy, Spain is in one of the best positions for archaeological sites to see. The archaeological sites of Spain that we can find have a large amount of information about the history of the human being.
For this reason, we are going to take a tour of the best archaeological sites in Spain that you can visit and their characteristics.
The best archaeological sites in Spain
caves of Altamira
We begin our list of the most important mineral deposits in Spain, heading to Santillana del Mar in Cantabria. Here are the famous Cuevas de Altamira, part of the World Heritage List since 1985.
It is one of the most important Paleolithic excavations in the world. On the walls hang paintings of various animals, handprints and geometric figures, which invite countless interpretations. Although the original caves are closed to tourists, you cannot miss a guided visit to the Neocave and Altamira museums.
The discovery of the world's first cave paintings inside this Cantabrian cave was a revolution in the world of paleontology, as it demonstrated that our ancestors possessed extraordinary artistic abilities long before what was believed. On its walls you can see various animals, handprints and geometric figures that provoke multiple interpretations.
Santa Tegra Castle
Our tour continues in the north of Spain while we continue to discover its most important deposits. This time near the mouth of the Mino River, at more than 300 meters above sea level. Here are the Celtiberian ruins of Santa Tegra (or Santa Tecla), dating from the XNUMXst century BC.
The small village of oval houses is typical of the castro culture in the north of the Iberian Peninsula at that time. In addition, among some of the stones scattered on the hill, you can see petroglyphs from 2.000 years before the Castroite construction. If you want to know more about its curiosities, do not miss the guided tour of the Castle of Santa Tegella.
the cogotas
Another of the most important archaeological sites in Spain is the Castro de las Cogotas in the province of Ávila. This Celtic town and its cemetery sit on a majestic hill next to the Addaha River, between rocky rocks and shady holm oak groves.
Discovered in 1876, It reached its greatest splendor between the XNUMXth and XNUMXrd centuries BC. Take this guided tour of Castro de las Cogotas and don't miss a single detail of Vettona culture.
Atapuerca
The Sierra de Atapuerca site in Burgos is a special enclave for the study of human evolution, and it is here that the oldest hominid fossils in Europe have been discovered, including those of Homo Antecessor.
This importance also It has been recognized by UNESCO and was declared a World Heritage Site in the year 2000 and named a cultural space by the military government of Castilla y León. An enclave that cannot be missing from the list of the most important archaeological sites in Spain.
Dolmens of Antequera
We head south to our next stop, the dolmens of Antequera, Málaga. This archaeological site is not only one of the most important in Spain, but it is also part of the World Heritage Site and one of the first examples of monumental architecture from prehistoric times.
It is a set of megalithic tombs built between 6.000 and 2.200 years ago, These tombs, 50 meters in diameter and 4 meters high, are undoubtedly the most spectacular in Andalusia. The structure that composes it is striking due to its size. The panels that make up the roof alone weigh around 180 tons.
Numancia
Known as the Heroic City, this enclave is located in the province of Soria and includes the extensive and very high hills of La Muela de Garray, a plain limited by the high altitude of the Iberian system.
From an irreducible Celtic Villarian city to an important archaeological site, Numancia has witnessed numerous historical events over time. This archaeological site in Spain provides the largest source of data on the Celtiberian world. It is a most interesting place, visited by thousands of people a year.
Empuries
Located on the Costa Brava, Empúries is one of the most important archaeological sites in Spain and throughout Europe. This colony established by the Greeks around the XNUMXth century BC Little by little, it became the main commercial port in northwestern Spain.
It is currently a very important enclave in the history of the country, at the time it was the gateway to the Romanized Iberian Peninsula. In addition to the remains of the Greek and Roman city, you can also visit the permanent collections of its thematic museums. If you are in Barcelona, from there you can do a complete tour to Ampurias, Mongli Park and the Medes Islands.
segobriga
We follow this route through the most important archaeological site in Spain located in Segóbriga, in the province of Cuenca. This archaeological site It is one of the best examples of Roman and Celtic Hispanic urbanism.
In addition to houses, ruins of cemeteries and walls, you can also visit theaters, baths, Visigothic cathedrals, the circus or the Acropolis. On this tour of the wonders of the Roman basin, you will be able to verify the greatness of the city in antiquity.
Medina Azahara
We move to the outskirts of Córdoba to marvel at the archaeological ruins of Medina Azahara. The so-called Shining City It was founded in the year 936 by the first Umayyad Caliph of Córdoba, Abdurrahman III.
Walking through its ruins you will be able to know the glory days of the Caliphate of Córdoba. A city chosen by the Caliphs, Princes, Artists and Philosophers of the time, which still preserves its essence today.
Italica
We conclude our list of the most important archaeological sites in Spain in Santiponce in Seville, where a large part of the once glorious Itálica is still preserved. Its origins date back to 206 BC. In those years, the general Publius Cornelius Scipio placed a detachment of the Legion in these lands.
On a guided tour of Italy, you will enter this important archaeological site, the birthplace of Trajan, also known as Little Rome.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about the best archaeological sites in Spain.