Cueva de Bencomo: The traditional residence of Mencey Bencomo

Cueva de Bencomo, also known as Cueva de Tamaide, is a natural volcanic cave in Tenerife. It is an archaeological site that was used by the Guanches, the island's first inhabitants. The site is traditionally identified as the dwelling of Bencomo, the Mencey or king of Taoro, before the European conquest, though experts continue to debate whether it was indeed his residence.

Located in the Barranco del Pino on the natural border between the municipalities of Santa Úrsula and La Orotava, the site was declared a property of cultural interest in 1986. The complex consists of two large basalt cavities joined by a narrow passage, open at 350 meters above sea level. The first cavity measures 6 meters long and just over 2.5 meters high, while the second cavity measures approximately 8 meters long. A narrow passage 2.5 meters long and 0.8 meters high connects the two bodies. From the second cavity, a natural arch leads to another narrower, open chamber.

In addition to the caves, the site includes three natural shelters that were reused for livestock storage during historical periods. The spring of Tamaide is located nearby. Archaeological cleaning and excavations conducted between 2017 and 2018 revealed ceramic remains, animal remains including pig and goat teeth, shells, and fish scales, as well as charcoal, obsidian tools, and necklace beads. Archaeologists also found carved marks on the cave walls suggesting the existence of enclosure systems, marking the first time such evidence has been located in Tinerfean archaeology, though it has not been confirmed if they date to the aboriginal era.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons