Los Cipreses is an archaeological site located in Oñate, part of the Diputación lorquina of La Torrecilla in Spain. It is situated in the foothill of a mountain, with a gentle north to south slope. The site is delimited by two ramblizos, streams originating from the Sierra del Pino, converging further down to form a river that flows into the Guadalentín valley. The irrigation system at Los Cipreses is over 2,000 years old and has been perfectly preserved.
Today, almost the entire conserved area of the site is within the recreational area of the Lorca Municipal Park and Polideportivo. A small sector is between this park and the motorway, but it has been altered in the past. Access to the site and Archaeological Park should be through the polideportivo's paths and garden area. The irrigation system at Los Cipreses is a marvel of ancient engineering, built with large, heavy stones and smaller stones with abundant grooves.
It is still functional and is used to irrigate crops, just as it did in the past. The irrigation system is just one example of how the people of Los Cipreses lived, worked, and survived in this harsh environment. The site offers a glimpse into the daily life of the inhabitants of Los Cipreses, and the irrigation system is a testament to their ingenuity and resourcefulness.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata
Written by Nicolo Ciampini
Discuss this with the author and others
No comments yet. Be the first to start the conversation.