Pre-hispanic sanctuaries in the Canary Islands

Abstract

Cultural astronomy studies in the Canarian archipelago now have a tradition spanning two decades. The statistical relevance of astronomical implications for a certain number of sites and the spectacular character of some of the astronomical hierophanies discovered – with low probability of having been produced by chance in most cases – clearly points to an intentionality in the astronomical relationships discovered so far. All these arguments strongly suggest that tracking the movement of the celestial bodies was an important consideration in the erection and purpose of many pre-Hispanic sanctuaries. The alignment of footprint engravings at Montan˜a Tindaya, and the major lunistice moonrise at Roque Nublo and the summer solstice sunset at Teide, as observed from the sacred sites of Bentaiga and Gamona, respectively, may also be catalogued as outstanding examples of the strong relationship between astronomy and landscape in ancient Canary Islands culture. The recently discovered light-andshadow effects at Risco Caı´do will also be briefly discussed.