Lomo Gordo

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

This archaeological site consists of a station of rock engravings supported on a small basalt outcrop with more or less flat surfaces. It is located on the left bank of the Barranco del Pilar, in the area known as Lomo Gordo, in the Santa Cruz neighbourhood of El Tablero.

The archaeological zone is found next to a metal tower supporting the electrical wiring, on a gently sloping ramp whose original morphology has been greatly altered. It comprises about twenty panels with rock engravings of diverse attribution and morphology. On one hand, there are numerous modern inscriptions and "graffiti", in which names of people and dates or current alphabetic and numeric signs can be distinguished. However, alongside them another type of engraving is documented, predominantly geometric in theme, whose chronological attribution is less precise. These are rectilinear motifs, sometimes isolated or grouped in lines that intersect without a regular pattern, as well as reticulated motifs, various cruciforms, curvilinear shapes and an inscription in the form of a cross on a pedestal, which is not very common. There is also a naviform engraving representing a three-masted sailing ship with sails.

The execution technique is shallow incision, except for the cruciform sign, where the groove appears to show traces of some abrasion.

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