Una hierofanía solar en el santuario ibérico de Castellar (Jaén)

Abstract

Herein we report the discovery of a possible solar hierophany at the Cueva de la Lobera, in the Iberian sanctuary of Castellar (Jaen). The phenomenon consists of the brief illumination of the innermost area of the cave at the sunset around the equinoxes. Sunlight enters through an opening located on the western end of the cave. A very suggestive characteristic of the phenomenon is the shape taken by the spot of light projected through the opening. It is reminiscent of certain common representations in votive offerings and could have been artificially recreated. This discovery provides essential information about the Iberian calendar and some characteristics of the ritual held in the sanctuary.