Dolmen de Matarrubilla — Valencina
Tholos de Matarrubilla · La Pastora companion
Chalcolithic (c.3000–2800 BCE)·Valencina Chalcolithic (Guadalquivir millares group)·🇪🇸 Andalusia, Seville, Valencina de la Concepción, Aljarafe plateau, Spain
About
About Dolmen de Matarrubilla — Valencina
Dolmen de Matarrubilla (Chalcolithic c.3000–2800 BCE) on the Aljarafe plateau above Valencina, Seville, is a 34-m corridor tholos with dry-stone chamber 2 m diameter capped by a 2-m granite capstone engraved with a central hollow and radial lines, and a later 20-m gallery added to the passage after reuse. Excavated by Obermaier and later Collantes 1960s, its corridor yielded only one prestige slab burial, suggesting an elite single interment unlike collective neighbours La Pastora and Ontiveros. Its Valencina plateau overlooks the ancient Guadalquivir estuary.
Why it mattersOnly single-burial tholos at Valencina; engraved capstone unique.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Why single burial vs collective — chiefdom emergence?
Theories
- 01Matarrubilla chief monopolising Valencina copper–ivory redistribution
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.3000 BCE
- Period
- Chalcolithic (c.3000–2800 BCE)
- Culture
- Valencina Chalcolithic (Guadalquivir millares group)
- Builders
- Valencina Chalcolithic
- Purpose
- Elite single-burial tholos with later reuse gallery
- Excavation
- Excavated
c.3000 BCE
Tholos quarried and chamber roofed with granite cap
c.2700 BCE
Gallery added for secondary deposits
1917; 1960
Obermaier notes; Collantes excavates; single burial paradigm
2012
Valencina interpretation centre opens; walkway
On the ground
Structures & features
37.4080° N · 6.0780° W · 130 m · 2 mapped features
Matarrubilla Capstone — Engraved Slab
megalith2-m granite capstone engraved with central cup and radiating grooves, sole grave-goods focus
37.4085° N · 6.0775° WMatarrubilla Long Corridor — 34 m Passage
passage34-m slate passage with dry-stone walls, extended 20 m in reuse phase to second entrance
37.4075° N · 6.0785° W
Gallery