Anthropomorphic rock tombs of the Iberian Peninsula
Anthropomorphic rock tombs of the Iberian Peninsula ( Spanish Tumba Olèrdolana ; Portuguese Sepulturas escavadas na Rocha ) are mostly found in necropolises (larger burial and consecration places). The rock graves mostly have an anthropomorphic shape, so they are designed to resemble the human body shape. They were originally covered by a cover plate and in most cases - according to Christian belief - not accompanied by grave goods . The graves carved into massive rock slabs are a typical feature of the Iberian Peninsula. Although some examples are known outside the Iberian region (e.g. rock tombs at Heysham , England; Saint-Roman Abbey near Beaucaire , Église Saint-Pantaléon (Vaucluse) , St. Croix Chapel (Montmajour) and Mount Odile , all in France, or in the necropolis of Marshan , Tangier , Morocco ), the vast majority are concentrated here.
history
The rock graves are usually classified between the 9th and 11th centuries. However, they are dated back to the 7th century by Alberto del Castillo, among others . Due to the lack of stratigraphic context and the lack of grave goods, the dating has created a controversy between archaeologists, so that for the purpose of better differentiation, Visigothic or medieval rock tombs are used.
Shape variants
Typologically, they can have non-anthropomorphic shapes - oval, rectangular, with curved sides, trapezoidal - or anthropomorphic with some variants in the head area. The contour can have right or rounded angles. Some have circumferential edges that prevent water from entering and allow the cover to be adjusted.
- Vascoveiro necropolis
Occurrence
The graves are usually on horizontal granite - outcrops ; their alignment does not follow any particular pattern. Usually there are several graves next to each other, but there are also individual specimens. Sometimes there are also sarcophagi around them (e.g. in Duruelo de la Sierra ).
On the Iberian Peninsula, anthropomorphic rock tombs are found in Portuguese necropolises ( Sabel , Santo Adrião , San Gens , Necropolis do Vale de Maria Pais ) as well as in Spain (e.g. San Vítor de Barxacova , Peciña and Sant Feliuet); Particularly noteworthy is the area of the southern Sierra de la Demanda ( Quintanar de la Sierra , Duruelo de la Sierra , Palacios de la Sierra ).
Web links
- Slab rock graves on the Iberian Peninsula - photo + brief information (Galician and English)