Dolmen de La Pastora

The Dolmen de la Pastora, located at Valencina de la Concepción near Seville, Spain, is a remarkable piece of prehistoric architecture. Known also as Cueva de la Pastora, this passage grave - under a 2.5-metre funeral chamber - is not only a testament to ancient construction skills, but also to the rich history of Spain's past. The dolmen spans 43 metres along a long gallery, with stone walls and a limestone-granite roof. Interestingly, the orientation of the passage is west, setting it apart from other dolmens in the region that prefer the sunrise direction.

An excavation in 1860 within the tumulus' slope yielded 27 copper arrowheads of the 'javelin type'. Construction of the funeral chamber was with drystone walls, topped by a single granite capstone. The interior structure is circular, with the passage terminating at this point. Today, the Dolmen de la Pastora is a well-preserved cultural treasure, giving a glimpse into Iberian prehistory. While its exact purpose and builders are not known, the archeological findings suggest skilful craftsmanship and traditional beliefs. The Pastora is among the best-preserved of its kind in Spain, with many mysteries yet to be unveiled.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons