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Scientists studying a prehistoric monument in southern Spain have uncovered evidence that it remained in use thousands of years after its construction. Two medieval burials discovered inside the Menga dolmen indicate that the site continued to hold cultural and possibly religious significance long after the Neolithic period.
The Menga dolmen, located in Antequera, dates to around 3800 to 3600 BC and forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. While it has long been studied for its scale and construction, recent research has shifted focus to its later use. A multidisciplinary team including researchers from the University of Huddersfield, the Francis Crick Institute, Harvard University, and the University of Seville analyzed remains dated to between the 8th and 11th centuries AD, according to a new study in the Journal of Archaeological Science Reports.
The two individuals were buried in the atrium of the structure, positioned along the monument’s central axis with their heads oriented inward. This alignment suggests a deliberate and structured burial practice rather than ?????? placement. Researchers interpret this as evidence that the monument retained symbolic or ritual importance during the medieval period.
Genetic analysis, despite being limited by degraded DNA, provided further insight. Scientists were able to recover part of the genome from one individual using SNP enrichment techniques. The results revealed a combination of European ancestry alongside genetic markers linked to North Africa and the Levant. Mitochondrial DNA mutations identified in the sample are also present in modern populations such as the Mozabite community in Algeria.
These findings align with existing historical understanding of Al-Andalus, where diverse populations interacted across cultural and geographic boundaries. The genetic diversity observed in the burial supports the view that medieval Iberian societies were more mobile and interconnected than previously assumed.
The context of the burials also contributes to the interpretation of the site’s long-term use. Across Iberia, ancient monuments were often repurposed during the Middle Ages, sometimes functioning as hermitages or shrines. In this case, the Menga dolmen may have served a similar role, maintaining its relevance within evolving cultural and religious landscapes.
Researchers emphasize that the monument’s continued use was not incidental. The careful placement of the bodies, aligned with the structure’s internal design, indicates an awareness of its original significance. This suggests the persistence of cultural memory, where ancient sites remained integrated into later traditions rather than being abandoned.
The study highlights how archaeological sites can provide insight not only into their original builders but also into the societies that interacted with them centuries later. The Menga dolmen stands as an example of a structure that retained meaning across multiple historical periods, bridging prehistoric and medieval worlds through continued human engagement.
