A Review of the Megalithic Phenomenon in the Duero Valley from a Historiographic and Interpretative Approach

Abstract

Megalithism is one of the most outstanding evidence from prehistoric societies at the tum of the Metal Ages. Since the 4th millennium, megaliths were constructed to be used as funerary and ceremonial structures across the European geography. Within the boundaries of Duero Valley human groups built different types of megalithic structures used along the last periods of the Late Prehistory and the Metal Ages, symbolizing a set of believes which is even today in a process of decoding. Continuity of use is one of the main features of megalithic structures of all kinds but far from being static elements they suffered changes along their lifetimes, they were abandoned, reconstructed, forgotten or reused with other purposes during their millenarian existence. This papers aims not only to describe and explain the typology of megalithic monuments in the region but also their usages, the long lives they had passing through generations and the eventual uses they were given.