Stone of the Guanches facts for kids
| Taganana | |
| Location | Afur, Tenerife, Canary Islands |
|---|---|
| Type | Guanche stele |
The Stone of the Guanches, also called the Stone of Taganana, is a very old engraved stone. It is found in the small village of Afur, near Taganana, on the island of Tenerife. This island is part of the Canary Islands in Spain. The stone is made from a red volcanic rock called tuff.
What is the Guanche Stone?
This archaeological site is a large stone block with many carvings on its surface. It sits on top of three smaller rocks, making it look a bit like a table. This unique stone is linked to the ancient people of Tenerife, the Guanches. They used it for their special practices of mummification. This process was called mirlado. Because of this, the stone is sometimes known as the Mirlado stone or the stone of the Dead. It is a very special object from the prehistory of the Canary Islands.
Where is the Stone Located?
The Guanche Stone is found outdoors, near the coast, in the Afur ravine. On its surface, you can see rows of small, carved bowls arranged in lines.
Symbols and Meanings
One important carving on the stone is a symbol that looks like a bottle. This symbol represents Tanit, a goddess from the ancient city of Carthage. Around the bottle-shaped symbol, there are also cruciform shapes, which look like crosses.
The overall shape of the Guanche Stone is similar to other ancient stone slabs called stelae, like the runestones found in other parts of the world. Because of this, experts believe the stone might have first been an altar for sacrifices. These kinds of altars were common in Semitic cultures. Later, the Guanches might have reused it for their mummification rituals.
See also
In Spanish: Piedra de los Guanches para niños
