The Menhir as an Oral Tradition in Cattle-Raising Territories: First Geological Provenance Analyses at the Antequera Heritage Site, Spain

Geological provenance analysis reveals that menhirs at the Antequera Dolmens Site, Spain, were strategically sourced from specific outcrops, suggesting their role as navigational markers and cultural references in cattle-raising territories. The study combines archaeological field surveys, oral tradition testimonies, GIS mapping, geophysical prospection, photogrammetry, and RTI techniques to identify engravings and paintings on landmarks. This interdisciplinary approach provides the first detailed geological data for menhirs in the region, offering new insights into their historical significance and functionality beyond mere monumentality.

Cabello-Ligero, L., Bueno-Ramírez, P., Armenteros-Lojo, M. J., Suarez Padilla, J., Caro Herrero, J. L., de Balbín-Behrmann, R., Barroso-Bermejo, R., Vázquez Martínez, A., Durán Valsero, J. J., Durán-Laforet, S. R., Jordá Bordehore, R., Morales García, R., & Varo Sánchez-Garrido, M. Á. (2025). The Menhir as an Oral Tradition in Cattle-Raising Territories: First Geological Provenance Analyses at the Antequera Heritage Site, Spain. Heritage, 8(8), 291. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8080291