Email this article Cuatro Puertas and Nearby Sites "Beyond the Beaches of Gran Canaria" October 29, 1999 Above Cuatro Puertas, at the top of the mountain facing the southern slope, is an almagorén, a place of worship like the one on Bentayga. This almagorén lies in a shallow cave and consists of channels, holes, and signs engraved in the rock. The location provides an astounding view of the eastern side of the island, out to the ocean. Most archaeologists agree that this was a sacred site for the ancient Canarians. Some believe that sites like this were associated with fertility rituals collecting rain to feed crops. Another theory is that the almagorén was used for astronomical observation; the solstices set the farming schedule. Right: Engravings on the almagorén wall, interpreted by some as astronomical signs Left: Another view of the semi-circular channel at the almagorén. Depressions like this one could have been used to offer libations in fertility rituals. Cuatro Puertas Back to Map More on Cuatro Puertas © 1999 by the Archaeological Institute of America www.archaeology.org/online/features/canary/cuatro2.html Share this page:   Share Stay up-to-date on news and new features on our website. Click here to sign up. Buy back issues: See what's available!

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