Publications
Assessment of the water quality of spring “La Mina”. Groundwater of Parque Rural del Nublo. Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. Gran Canaria. Canary Islands
Groundwater from the spring "La Mina" in Gran Canaria's Parque Rural del Nublo, a UNESCO-listed Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site, is classified as hypothermal, alkaline, and very soft with low conductivity and weak mineralization but notable silica content. This water, rich in bicarbonate, chloride, calcium, and sodium ions, exhibits potential pharmacological and therapeutic effects. The study assessed its organoleptic, physico-chemical, and bacteriological quality, highlighting its suitability for irrigation and as a potential source of bottled "natural mineral water." Recognized by UNESCO in 2005 as a Biosphere Reserve and later inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2019, this landscape's groundwater plays a vital ecological and cultural role.
Les paysages culturels de Risco Caïdo et de l’île Grande Canarie (Espagne) : témoignages matériels et immatériels de la civilisation amazigh préhispanique
Risco Caído and the Sacred Mountains of Gran Canaria stand as enduring testimonies to the pre-Hispanic Amazigh civilization, blending material and immatériel heritage. This study reveals how these landscapes encapsulate centuries of cultural practices, spiritual beliefs, and astronomical observations, offering a unique lens into the Amazigh worldview. Through interdisciplinary analysis—spanning archaeology, anthropology, and astroarchaeology—the research deciphers the symbolic significance of sacred sites like Risco Caído, where rituals, water management, and celestial alignments intersect. The findings underscore the landscape's role as a living cultural matrix, preserving traditions from oral histories to architectural forms. This work contributes critical insights for UNESCO’s heritage preservation efforts, emphasizing the need to protect both tangible structures and intangible knowledge systems.
The Cultural Landscape "Risco Caído and the Sacred Mountains of Gran Canaria": a Paradigmatic Proposal within UNESCO "Astronomy and World Heritage" Initiative
Recent research highlights Risco Caído and the Sacred Mountains of Gran Canaria as a paradigmatic cultural landscape, deeply intertwined with astronomical observations. The study reveals that high-mountain sanctuaries on the island, particularly within the Caldera de Tejeda, were likely used for solar and lunar rituals, supported by fieldwork evidence. These sites offer exceptional natural monuments like Roques Bentayga and Nublo, which served as reference landmarks, facilitating close interaction between land- and skyscapes. The discovery of unique light and shadow effects at Risco Caído further underscores its significance. This research positions Gran Canaria as a prime candidate for the UNESCO 'Astronomy and World Heritage' initiative, illustrating the profound cultural relationship with celestial phenomena in this region.
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