LA PALMA - NORTH SIDE

Maarten van Hoek Updated November 2003

RESPONSIBLE VISTOR BEHAVIOUR AT ROCK ART SITES
* Never touch or wet rock art - it is highly damaging
* Never chalk or enhance engravings
* Do not walk on engraved rock
* Leave all archaeological artefacts as they are
* Only take photographs, only leave your footsteps

The Canary Islands (geologically speaking belonging to northern Africa, but actually governed by Spain) have a rich array of rock art. Each island seems to have its own type of engravings. On La Palma there are many sites that predominantly comprise geometric designs in which cupules are almost always absent. There is a notable concentration at the north part of the island, on the north slopes of the enormous extinct volcano or caldera. Site 1 is just SW of Garifia where a rectangular stone setting is found. Many of the stones in this setting are decorated, often at both sides. Site 2 is the well known a well called Fuente de la Zarza. Parts of the walls surrounding this well are completely covered with sets of delicately executed grooves, some superimposed upon earlier spirals and circles. Notice the grooves cutting through the delicate patterns and the recent graffiti. At this site there are also a number of boulders with such decoration. The style of engraving resembles the Irish passage grave art, but it is argued that the art on the Canary Islands is much later.

More information in:
VAN HOEK, M. 1998. Instances of respect and disregard in European rock art. Adoranten 1998: 50-59. Underslös, Sverige.

VISIT MY WEB PAGE OF THE SOUTH PART OF LA PALMA

INSTITUTUM CANARIUM (takes a while to download).

This link takes you to the web site of the Institutum Canarium; an international and interdisciplinary research association which is concerned with the history of the civilization of the Canaries. Its rock art and related questions about the history of colonization, language and religion are some of the main fields of research.




my connected community (mc²) This Webpage has been created using the my connected community (mc2) Webpage generator.
my connected community (mc2) is funded by the Victorian Government and coordinated by Vicnet