Exploring Gran Canaria 

Risco Caído: The Sacred Cave of Gran Canaria

In the highlands of Gran Canaria, the stone has hidden a secret for centuries: a cave intricately carved with precise measurements in volcanic rock. This sacred site is also a sophisticated light calendar, marking a turning point in Canarian archaeological research.

This unique piece of architecture not only expresses the identity of the indigenous society of Gran Canaria but also elevates their civilization to a level far more advanced than commonly imagined. The recent discoveries challenge long-held perceptions and introduce new understandings of this ancient culture.

The Indigenous Societies of the Canary Islands

Until the 15th century, the Canary Islands were home to Berber-influenced cultures that thrived in harmony with the environment of each island. Unfortunately, these societies disappeared following a brutal process of conquest and assimilation. Recent genetic studies have confirmed the North African origin of the indigenous Canarian populations, connecting them to the Berber people.

There is evidence that Libyan-Berber inscriptions developed for the first time in the Kingdom of Numidia in the first century BCE. This cultural and economic development allowed island populations to thrive, with Gran Canaria at one point supporting nearly 40,000 inhabitants. This required an extensive knowledge of their environment and sophisticated methods of survival.

Sources of Historical Knowledge

The last decade of archaeological research has offered new insights into the social, productive, and everyday lives of these ancient people.

Historical records describe a highly stratified society. The governing structure featured faycanes (priests) who managed divine relations, and a royal family, including the guanarteme (chief). Women like the harimaguada or mahuadas played significant roles in rituals, often coming from the highest social strata.

The sacred architecture and astronomical alignments found in caves like Risco Caído reflect a similar social and religious organization found in ancient Egypt. These structures were meticulously designed for religious purposes, controlling time and managing agricultural cycles.

The Discovery of Risco Caído

In 1996, archaeologist Julio Cuenca discovered two ritual caves in Risco Caído, now known as caves 6 and 7. Cave 6, in particular, has unique features suggesting it was an almogarén, a place of worship. The cave's architecture includes a circular floor plan with a parabolic ceiling and ideograms that indicate it was a site for ritual activities, likely including the pouring of milk or water.

More intriguingly, a carefully designed skylight allows sunlight to project specific images on the cave walls, aligning with significant solar events. This suggests the cave was also used as an astronomical calendar, marking solstices and equinoxes.

Engineering Marvel

Constructing these caves with such precision using only stone tools is a testament to the advanced knowledge of the indigenous Canarians. The cave builders must have had a profound understanding of geometry and engineering to achieve these results. The presence of sophisticated alignments and the use of geometric principles like the Pythagorean theorem underscore their advanced scientific knowledge.

The Astronomical Significance

In 2009, during the summer solstice, Cuenca observed sunlight entering the cave and projecting images onto the walls, confirming the cave's function as an astronomical temple and calendar. The interplay of light and shadow inside the cave creates a dynamic visual phenomenon, possibly used in religious rituals.

The Cultural Legacy

Risco Caído represents a pinnacle of aboriginal architecture, integrating symbolic expression and astronomical knowledge. It stands as a testament to the ingenuity and spiritual depth of the Canarian indigenous people. This discovery places their culture on par with other ancient civilizations globally recognized for their sophistication.

This sacred site and its astronomical alignments challenge our understanding and invite further study into the indigenous societies of Gran Canaria. The remarkable engineering and symbolic significance of Risco Caído offer new perspectives on the relationship between ancient peoples and their environments.

By exploring Risco Caído, we gain deeper insights into a civilization that continues to captivate and inspire, reshaping our historical narratives and enriching our cultural heritage.

Tamadaba: Where Landscape and History Conspire

Venturing into the breathtaking landscape of Tamadaba, we found ourselves lost in the heart of these vast domains. Spanning 9,500 hectares in Tejeda, Artenara, Gáldar, and Agaete, the Cultural Landscape forms the core of the Biosphere Reserve, which extends its 65,000 hectares across several municipalities including Agaete, Artenara, La Aldea de San Nicolás, Mogán, San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Tejeda, and Vega de San Mateo, alongside an additional 35,000 hectares of marine area.

Here, history and nature blend seamlessly. Local residents carry ancient wisdom, seen in their farming, pottery, and animal husbandry practices. The landscape is dotted with ancient stones, petroglyphs illuminated by sunlight, and unique flora and fauna. It's a living book of nature and culture waiting to be read.

The Cultural Landscape: A Link Between Caves and Stars

Risco Caído's mystical "temple" is a masterpiece of ancient engineering and astronomy. This subterranean sanctuary channels sunlight and moonlight to illuminate carvings symbolizing fertility during solstices. The site reflects the sophisticated astronomical knowledge of Gran Canaria's early inhabitants.

Isolated for over 1,500 years, the island's extraordinary culture evolved uniquely, heavily influenced by the Berber populations from North Africa. The landscape of the Cultural Heritage Zone extends through the Tejeda basin, Roque Nublo, Sierra del Bentayga, Tamadaba pine forests, and Barranco Hondo.

Preserving Ancient Traditions for a Sustainable Future

The legacy of Gran Canaria's ancient residents lives on through modern agricultural practices, pottery, water management, and sustenance from ancient barley seeds. These time-honored traditions form an unbroken chain linking the past to the present, embodying sustainable practices crucial for planetary health.

Explore the Cultural Landscape Through Trails

The Cultural Landscape is crisscrossed by numerous trails, offering a perfect way to experience its values. Here are four accessible routes:

• Tejeda to Artenara:   Circular routes of Tamadaba and Cruz de Acusa-Las Hoyas-Lugarejos-Coruña
• The Roque Nublo Crossroads : 

  These trails let you connect directly with key elements of the island's history and natural beauty.