As part of the Cultural Patrimony, it is mainly composed of movable property (objects) and buildings (structures), which are a historic value. Its knowledge is associated with archaeology, which uses specialized methodologies and techniques.
All cultures that have been in the Alpujarra have left traces of their existence in places where there has been any kind of human activity, leaving us with a wide archaeological record. Here there is a selection.
THE NEOLITHIC SITES
Provide abundant ceramic record (of different types and decorative motifs) and lithic (leaves, axes and adzes, decorative elements). In the exceptional case of Cueva de los Murciélagos, the organic record stands out. It consists of an assembly of parts made in esparto (baskets, sandals, mats).
Settlements located in cave
- Cueva de los Murciélagos (Albuñol)
- Cueva de las Campanas and Sima de los Intentos (Gualchos)
- Cueva de la Rochila (Gualchos-Castell de Ferro)
Settlements located outdoors
- Guainos Alto (Adra)
- Cerrillo de la Gobernadora (Beninar)
Necropolis
- Necrópolis de Cerro Cánovas (Berja). Culture of Almería.
THE DEPOSITS OF THE COPPER AGE
They are located both in Granada and Almería. The fortified settlements, Millares type, provide remains of walls, towers or forts together with residential structures and abundant archaeological material, such as ceramics (bowls, pots, dishes), flint stone industry (arrowheads and sickles), hand operated mills, looms or ovens. They may be associated with necropolis, consisting of collective graves with grave goods, "tholos" type.
Towns
- Las Juntas (Abla)
- Los Millares (Santa Fe de Mondújar)
Necropolis
- The Milanes (Abla)
- Balsaplata Necropolis (Berja)
THE DEPOSITS OF THE BRONZE AGE
Notable settlements linked to the culture of the Argar. They are often located in strategic positions and, in the archaeological record associated to them. Defensive structures and residential structures are found. There are also elements of material register (ceramic, metal utensils). The necropolis is part of the settlements and in the burials there is usually some kind of grave goods.
Settlements
- Cerro de Benejí (Berja)
- Cerro del Pantano (Berja)
- The Cerroncillo (Dalías)
- Peñón de la Reina (Alboloduy)
IBERIANS, PHOENICIANS, GREEKS AND CARTHAGINIANS DEPOSITS
The Pre-rroman indigenous people eventually converge on the Iberian Culture, largely occupying the region of the Alpujarra. The settlements are usually located in a strategic position undeniable, over flat spaces. They show remains of different buildings, where the defensive structures stand out.
Archaeological sites related to the Phoenicians, Greeks and Carthaginians are scarce. The Phoenicians created numerous colonies or factories and, apparently, some of them were located in this region. They were the possible founders of, for example, Abdera (Adra). According to Strabo, the Greeks established a colony called Ulissea, which can be the origin of the current Ugíjar.
The area of influence of the Carthaginians also includes the Alpujarra, where the coast stands out, such as Abla, along with some settlements in height, such as Cáñar.
Settlements
- Cerrillo Rigualte (Berja)
- El Cerrón (Dalías)
- Cerro de las Minas (Cáñar)
THE ROMAN SITES
The Roman occupation was important in Abla and other nearby locations. It basically consist of scattered mining sites of mining and agricultural character, with traces of residential structures, memorials (Abla), thermal baths (Alhama de Almería) and abundant material record, dispersed ceramic stands out, chandeliers or tegulas. Apart from roadways (the Via Augusta would go through Albuñol and Adra), bridges, aqueducts (Abrucena), tombstones (Fiñana) or some amphitheatre (Villavieja, Berja) bind. There are also some curious remains of agricultural activity (such as oil press in Montenegro, near Yegen) and mining (lead ingot of Canjáyar).
Some Roman settlements were abandoned before the start of the Middle Ages, while others remained occupied in the Islamic period. Particular sites, which coincided with high medieval deposits (emiral and caliphal), have Roman materials. Thus, Roman pottery has been found in sites occupied during the Islamic period. This is the case of the Fortress of Jubiles or Piedra Fuerte in Yégen. In Cala Rijana (Castell de Ferro), remains of Roman chronology have also been located.
Settlements
- Archaeological Site of Alba Bastetanorum Oppidum (Abla)
- Mine of the Sierrecilla (Berja)
- Cortijo Cecilio (La Heredad, Fiñana)
- Peñón Hundido (Lobras-Cástaras)
- La Loma de las Ventillas (Berja)
LATE ROMAN, EARLY CHRISTIAN AND VISIGOTH DEPOSITS
The historic and artistic patrimony and the sobriety of the burials, related to small villages, is connected with the ideological revolution of the early Christianity. The sarcophagus of Alcaudique (La Jarela, Berja) stands out. It has a rich frieze with scenes from the New Testament. The necropolis usually consists of pit graves, dug in the ground, usually bounded by stone slabs without grave goods
The Visigoths left in the zone tombs and some temples, like the one located in the area of the current chapel of San Sebastian, in Órgiva.
Necropolis
- Necropolis of El Bancal del Moro (Huéchar-Alhama-Santa Fé)
- Necropolis of El Pago (Órgiva)
- Necropolis of El Camino de Santa Rita (Benecid, Fondón)
THE MEDIEVAL SITES
Both Mozarabs and Muslims have left in the Alpujarra important remains. Some, still in use, are not considered archaeological sites. Many existing buildings, or parts of them, are rooted in the Middle Ages. It is the case of some traditional houses.
At other times, we have remains of medieval occupations considered archaeological sites. They provide structural remains or material culture and may be associated with religious, defensive, productive or residential places. There are areas with archaeological remains in Laroles, Ugíjar, Murtas or Válor. The silo-caves stand out, artificial medieval caves used for storage. Many other settlements, as has happened with several farmhouses, have been lost or have been dismantled.
The elements that belong to religious and defensive architecture appear individualized in the Section Architectural Patrimony.
The case of the Treasure of Bentarique (Alpujarra Almeriense, Andarax Valley) is exceptional. It consists of a set of gold and precious stones from the 15th century (two anklets or embossing bracelets, a filigree necklace, nine dewdrop necklaces with a medallion of gold, two silver bracelets and a necklace of coloured stones), which appeared inside of a ceramic vessel.
Settlements
- Defensive settlements
- Religious settlements
- Cuevas del Tajo de los Moros (Alhama de Almería)
- Cuevas del Tajo de las Ventanas (Válor)
- Terrera de la Cará (Ugíjar)
