La Gallega

Santa Cruz de Tenerife · Category: Memory · Subcategory: Archaeological sites

This archaeological site is located on a basalt outcrop situated on the right bank of a small ravine whose channel only survives in the most naturalised plot, since the rest of its course has disappeared buried by fillings and urban development processes carried out in the area.

The rock art station consists of about four panels of engravings arranged at right angles to each other. The motifs are executed using a continuous incision technique that is not very deep. There are no signs of abrasion and some engravings made with a scratching technique, generally associated with some "graffiti" or modern inscription. Their theme is always schematic-geometric, with rectilinear motifs, a large number of reticulated patterns (which on one panel almost cover the entire surface of the block), cruciforms, bundles of parallel lines and lines with irregular traces, all very common and similar to those of other rock art stations on the island. Among the engravings, a five-pointed star motif stands out, which is rare and of great significance in terms of its cultural parallels.

The set of engravings is oriented towards the east and is located in the lower part of the outcrop, very close to the ground. No associated archaeological materials or other nearby outcrops are visible on the surface.

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