The megalithic station of the Rioja Alavesa: chronology, origins and utilisation cycles

• Main Authors: Javier FERNÁNDEZ-ERASO, José Antonio MUJIKA-ALUSTIZA
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ediciones Universidad de Salamanca 2013-06-01
• Series: Zephyrus
• Subjects: dataciones radiocarbónicas; dólmenes; construcción; reutilización; amortización
• Online Access: https://revistas.usal.es/index.php/0514-7336/article/view/9958

The dolmenic station of the Rioja Alavesa has been, since its discovery, excavation and musealization, a reference point for Basque megalithic research. However, it presented serious deficiencies such as the lack of specialized studies which nowadays are essential in any research process. This work compiles AMS datations obtained from human bones from different individuals retrieved from five of the eight funerary architectures that compose the station. Regarding the other three, Los Llanos dolmen was already dated by its excavator, San Martín dolmen was recently dated and no human remains were retrieved at El Encinal. The most important series come from Chabola de la Hechicera, whose oldest dates are from the 2010 campaign, and particularly from Alto de la Huesera where remains from the 1948 and 2010 excavations have been dated. The radiocarbon dates show a funerary use of the megaliths which is discontinuous and of variable intensity, approximately from 6000 to 3000 cal BP. On the other hand, it becomes clear that the relative dating of the use of the megaliths taking into account only material assemblages is insufficient. It is necessary to corroborate and complete this information with the one obtained from human bones.