Archaeological area

Location. Monte Medo. Parish of San Cibrao de Lama Má. Type of monument. “Mámoa”, megalithic item from the pre-Celtic era. Interest: architectural, historical, ethnographical. Dated. Unknown. The megalithic culture of the Neolithic extends between fourth and third millennia BC; other Galician mámoas are dated to prior to the fourth millennium, like the “Chousa Nova”, in the municipality of Silleda. Description. We find two “mámoas” (Neolithic monuments) in the same forestal area, about 70 meters apart from one another. They are low in profile, with a diameter of about 20 to 25 metres. Considered to be burial chambers similar to dolmen. Inside them there are walls and ceilings formed by large boulders and slabs, which were then covered with soil. Their dating varies, and advances in dating techniques have lead to changes in this regard. Most experts agree these monuments date back to the Neolithic. “Mámoas” are very common in Galicia, and as megalithic monuments, are characteristic of the North-western peninsular. This abundance has given rise to several denominations: medorra, medoña or modorra; are the most common monikers. These names gave rise to names of places and people, and to ethnonyms originating from these locations. The mámoas have a characteristic form […]

Location. A Chaira. Parish of San Salvador de Molgas. Type of monument. Petroglyph. Megalithic item. Interest: architectural, historical, ethnographical. Dated. The Bronze Age (2nd millennium BC) Description. In “Insuiña” or “Ansuiña”, three petroglyphs are located about 100 meters from each other. Their location is easy to find because they are outside the football field of Baños de Molgas. • Petroglyph 1, features a herringbone or plant, with stem and by ending in cups. • Petroglyphs 2 and 3, are a set of cups with indeterminate representations; very common in this municipality. What is a petroglyph? A petroglyph is any shape or form made on a stone or rock. Their function is thought to have been ritual and symbolic. However, even in the Bronze Age the practice of farming were already widespread, hence we believe that they were used for important rituals in the life cycles of the people or year. Their use and symbolism is not absolutely known, but there was almost certainly a magical significance connected to the territory, animals and even to people; and were perhaps used in initiation rituals or hunting. In Galicia and north-western peninsular there are three types of common themes: naturalistic (represent human beings […]

Location. Common land “Lampaza”. Parish of St. Stephen of Ambia. Type of monument. Petroglyph. Megalithic item. Interest: architectural, historical, ethnographical. Dated. The Bronze Age (2nd millennium BC) Description. Set of petroglyphs near the Arnoia. Referred to as: • Lampaza III: several cups distributed on a rectangular, low cliff. • Lampaza IV: Set of several cups on a a rounded cliff, hidden among the vegetation. What is a petroglyph? A petroglyph is any shape or form made on a stone or rock. Their function is thought to have been ritual and symbolic. However, even in the Bronze Age the practice of farming were already widespread, hence we believe that they were used for important rituals in the life cycles of the people or year. Their use and symbolism is not absolutely known, but there was almost certainly a magical significance connected to the territory, animals and even to people; and were perhaps used in initiation rituals or hunting. In Galicia and north-western peninsular there are three types of common themes: naturalistic (represent human beings as people or animals), geometric: (circles, spirals, squares, or even more complex shapes such as mazes), weapons and shields (Less common). Catalogación. Municipal Inventory of Heritage Assets.

Location. Parish of St. Martin de Betan. • Petroglyphs. “Monte Cubreiro” or “Cobreiro”. • Mámoas. “A Seara”, west of Mount Cubreiro. Monument type. Interest: architectural, historical, ethnographical. • Petroglyph. Megalithic monument of the Bronze Age (II millennium BC). Up to four petroglyphs with various symbols found in different areas of the mountain, probably from different periods and made with different intentions: cups, irregular geometric shapes. • Mámoas. Megalithic Neolithic (3rd and 4th millennia BC). In the area called A Seara up to ten mámoas found in a roughly North-South orientation. DatedThe Bronze Age (2nd millennium BC) Description What is a petroglyph? A petroglyph is any shape or form made on a stone or rock. Their function is thought to have been ritual and symbolic. However, even in the Bronze Age the practice of farming were already widespread, hence we believe that they were used for important rituals in the life cycles of the people or year. Their use and symbolism is not absolutely known, but there was almost certainly a magical significance connected to the territory, animals and even to people; and were perhaps used in initiation rituals or hunting. What is a “mámoa”? Considered to be a burial chamber […]

They are placed in a prairie between Bouzas and Presqueira, two villages of Baños de Molgas. The petroglyphs have a concentric and snake-like shape. On the rock where most of them are found, we can see a crossroad with the Agony’s Angel and crucified Christ. A few metres away, there is a small baroque chapel from the 18th century. It is thought that all of them must have made this place sacred. On the other side of the road, around 50 metres away, we find another two concentric circles. It is thought that there may be more in these area but they extracted rock from here to build the sanctuary of Os Milagros on the 18th century. They are in bad conditions because they don’t have any kind of protection against natural events or wear caused by humans.