UNESCO World Heritage SiteUNESCO Heritage
Spain

Dolmen of Menga

Neolithic dolmen in Andalusia, Spain

Location

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Historical Context

About

The Dolmen of Menga (Spanish: Dolmen de Menga) is a megalithic burial mound called a tumulus, a long barrow form of dolmen, dating from 3750–3650 BCE approximately. It is near Antequera, Málaga, Spain. It is one of the largest known ancient megalithic structures in Europe. It is 27.5 metres (90 ft) long, 6 metres (20 ft) wide and 3.5 metres (11 ft) high, and was built with thirty-two megaliths, the largest weighing about 180 tonnes (200 tons). After completion of the chamber (which probably served as a grave for the ruling families) and the path leading into the center, the stone structure was covered with soil and built up into the hill that can be seen today. When the grave was opened and examined in the 19th century, archaeologists found the skeletons of several hundred people inside. The dolmen sits 70 metres (230 ft) from the Dolmen de Viera and about 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) from another subterranean structure known as Tholos de El Romeral. In 2016, the dolmens of Menga, Viera, and El Romeral were all inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the name "Antequera Dolmens Site".

Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Temporal Epochs

Historical Timeline

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Chamber opened and examined

19th century

UNESCO inscription

2016

ATLAS study of Abrigo de Matacabras

2018

Construction

c. 3750–3650 BCE

Classification

Archaeological Features

Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site

category

Burial and Funerary Structures

DolmensTombsGraves
category

Artistic and Decorative Features

Cave Paintings
category

Environmental and Natural Features

Artificial MoundsRock SheltersModified Caves
category

Transportation and Communication Structures

Paths
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Reference

Details

Country

Spain

Coordinates

37.02° N, -4.55° E