173
Interestingly, at summer solstice, the sun sets on the western most slopes of the
Sierra and the last rays illuminate Lapoblación (Fig. 2b, c), while the rest of the
landscape is already in shadows. The next morning the sun rises from the slopes of
such peak in a stunning way (Fig. 3).
This observation could render support to the importance of Saint John’s day in
the story and perhaps to the summer solstice: the actual orientation of the corridor
is not directly connected with this astronomical event, but the location of Hechicera
could be, so that it is on the spot where the sunrise and set of such day happen with
a peculiar phenomenology in the local landscape. However, we do not know if the
builders and users of Hechicera also noticed this fact in prehistoric times. In spite of
this, and as it was mentioned earlier, Hechicera forms part of a small cluster of
megalithic monuments. A set of 8 further monuments can be identified in the close
vicinity, which share several characteristics.
4 A Regional Pattern?
These eight monuments include seven passage graves and a simple dolmen, although
this last monument might be a further passage grave whose passage is missing today
(Fernández-Eraso & Mujika-Alustiza, 2013; Narvarte Sanz, 2005). In general, the
eight monuments present similar characteristics to those of Chabola. They are
megalithic chambers with six (Huesera) to ten (San Martín) orthostats and polygoFig. 3 Summer solstice sunrise as seen today from Chabola de la Hechicera on June 19, 2017. The
sun rises from the slope of the Pico del León Mountain. At the time of use of the megalith, the sun
rose further up in the slope. This is indicated by the empty circles in the image. Image, A. César
González-García
Diachrony and the Big Picture: Chabola de la Hechicera, a Peculiar Orientation…
Interestingly, at summer solstice, the sun sets on the western most slopes of the
Sierra and the last rays illuminate Lapoblación (Fig. 2b, c), while the rest of the
landscape is already in shadows. The next morning the sun rises from the slopes of
such peak in a stunning way (Fig. 3).
This observation could render support to the importance of Saint John’s day in
the story and perhaps to the summer solstice: the actual orientation of the corridor
is not directly connected with this astronomical event, but the location of Hechicera
could be, so that it is on the spot where the sunrise and set of such day happen with
a peculiar phenomenology in the local landscape. However, we do not know if the
builders and users of Hechicera also noticed this fact in prehistoric times. In spite of
this, and as it was mentioned earlier, Hechicera forms part of a small cluster of
megalithic monuments. A set of 8 further monuments can be identified in the close
vicinity, which share several characteristics.
4 A Regional Pattern?
These eight monuments include seven passage graves and a simple dolmen, although
this last monument might be a further passage grave whose passage is missing today
(Fernández-Eraso & Mujika-Alustiza, 2013; Narvarte Sanz, 2005). In general, the
eight monuments present similar characteristics to those of Chabola. They are
megalithic chambers with six (Huesera) to ten (San Martín) orthostats and polygoFig. 3 Summer solstice sunrise as seen today from Chabola de la Hechicera on June 19, 2017. The
sun rises from the slope of the Pico del León Mountain. At the time of use of the megalith, the sun
rose further up in the slope. This is indicated by the empty circles in the image. Image, A. César
González-García
Diachrony and the Big Picture: Chabola de la Hechicera, a Peculiar Orientation…