The Las Aguilillas Tombs, located on a Miocene sandstone promontory between the valleys of Guadalteba and Turón, represent one of the most revealing prehistoric necropolises in southern Iberia. These funerary structures were discovered in the late 1980s and studied in 1990. The necropolis, composed of seven tombs excavated into the rock, dates from between 2100 and 1900 B.C., during a transitional period between the Copper Age and the Bronze Age.
The tombs have provided a rich source of information about the early inhabitants of Guadalteba. Thanks to their architecture, human remains, and the archaeological finds, these tombs are among the best studied in the region. It is estimated that around 50 individuals of various ages and sexes were buried here in secondary deposits, meaning only bones.
The tombs were constructed manually with stone tools, with over two hundred flint picks recovered in the area. Alongside the skeletal remains, various funerary goods were found, including ceramic vessels, flint knives, personal ornaments like necklaces, metal objects such as points and punches, and female idols made of stone. The architecture of the tombs varies; some exhibit megalithic structures with corridors and chambers similar to the dolmens in the region, while others show a combination of construction and decorative elements reflecting both local and foreign influences.
Notable tombs include:
Tombs 1, 2, and 3: These tombs present significant architectural interest, featuring access corridors and various chambers. Tomb 1 retains only one chamber and two niches; Tomb 2 includes a corridor and an ante-chamber with a central chamber; and Tomb 3 has a corridor and a small ante-chamber with a circular chamber.
Tomb 4: Considered a semi-cave construction with an oval plan, it has an ante-chamber and a main chamber separated by a partition. It shows remnants of a pillar and is believed to have had a wooden cover.
Tombs 5, 6, and 7: These tombs show variations in design, from wide corridors and chambers to structures without corridors and with main chambers. Tomb 5 is notable for its complex structure with large slabs, while Tombs 6 and 7 feature side niches and architectural characteristics adapted to their locations.
Studies have revealed important details about the funerary rituals of the time. The skeletal remains were placed in chambers and niches accompanied by funerary goods, without complete burials. The goods included ceramic vessels, flint tools, and ornaments, indicating rich and complex funerary practices.
The Las Aguilillas necropolis provides a comprehensive view of life and death in the Guadalteba region during prehistory. Its study has allowed for a better understanding of the funerary practices and social structures of the communities that inhabited this area over 4,000 years ago.
