Ancient 'Spanish Stonehenge' emerges into sight as drought shrinks reservoir near Madrid

ByABC7.com staff KABC logo
Friday, August 19, 2022
Ancient 'Spanish Stonehenge' visible as drought shrinks reservoir
A mysterious structure known as the "Spanish Stonehenge" has emerged from the receding waters of a reservoir near Madrid.

An ancient structure nicknamed the "Spanish Stonehenge" has emerged from the bottom of a reservoir near Madrid.

The prehistoric stone circle - believed to date back to at least 5,000 B.C. - has delighted archaeologists.

It was actually first discovered in 1926 but the Valdecanas reservoir was built and filled in 1963 and the stones have only become fully visible four times since.

Now, as Spain faces its worst drought in 60 years, the water has receded enough to make it visible again.

Historical and tourism associations have advocated for the stones to be relocated to dry land for preservation.

The structure is officially called the Dolmen of Guadalperal. Dolmens are stones arranged vertically to support a flat top, often to serve as tombs.