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Annexus Quamm

Galicia

Autonomous Community

TELENUS

Beyond the mountain ranges across the ancient borders of Gallaecia, but still in an area within her cultural influence, the two magnificent altar stones of Filiel are two massive twin stones with 3 Bronze Age labyrinths each (one of which is also full of cups) just below a tor of epic physical (and spiritual) proportions.

Their position in the middle of nowhere makes these two appear like flat altars looking towards the mountain of Telenus (one solstice sunrise with another peak in the same mountain range has already been spotted).

The stones were only discovered little more than a decade or so ago. The mountain Telenus was considered the ancient god of the area, and a later Romano-native dedication to it has been found, also suggesting possible connections to ancient god Teutates.

The freezing winter cold and the feeling of being watched by roaming wolves is not too evident in the video. The walk in the winter dark back to the nearest road felt endless.

Galicia

Autonomous Community

As Tenxiñas

Another example of Gallaecian / Atlantic rock art neglected, forgotten and left to its own devices in the wild.

Note the couple of crosses added to the prehistoric panel in the Middle Ages or later (engravings made with metal tools are deeper and lighter than the ancient designs) in a clear attempt to Christianise and keep the heathen, demonic, paganistic forces of the countryside under control. After all, the priests arrived from outside and for centuries, never found it easy to reach every hidden corner of the country, safely protected by mountains and peopled by famously gruff and reclusive folks.

Galicia

Autonomous Community

Cotobade

Arriving at a prehistoric rock art site is like trying to have a conversation with the ancients. You will not understand a word, but the sound of the words is entirely musical and adapted to the land and the landscape.

Here I am at one of the most stunning panels in Gallaecian / Atlantic rock art in the mountainous lands of Cotobade on a ledge overlooking the sacred meander of the mighty River Lerez.

This country is extremely windy and rainy, so being able to catch them blessed rock art panels in the right light is quite rare, but it also adds to the sense of excitement and the urgency of living life to the max.

Image of As Laghoas / P. Minas (Cup and Ring Marks / Rock Art) by Annexus Quamm

As Laghoas / P. Minas

Cup and Ring Marks / Rock Art

As Laghoas 3

General overview of the other main panel, this one with a double dose of magnificent rings, plus various sinuous lines and unknown designs (no photogrammetry of the lower part has been done yet). Not bad for a site which was unknown until recently and yet must be among the top 100 Gallaecian rock art sites.

Image credit: Annexus Quamm
Image of As Laghoas / P. Minas (Cup and Ring Marks / Rock Art) by Annexus Quamm

As Laghoas / P. Minas

Cup and Ring Marks / Rock Art

The design, in its own panel, for context and scale. This stone will be called Laghoas 1. As mentioned, much of it is still buried, and the surface might even extend to the other three stones nearby (the designs to the right of the panel were invisible until only a couple of years ago when some more turf was removed). A lovely welcome metaphor as regards what we may know about prehistory – it only allows us to get a ‘glimpse’ of the whole picture, tests our patience and teaches us humble respect, in our XXIst c. ‘safety chamber’ of arrogance / ignorance / anxiety. I have not managed to capture the tiny ones on the edge to the left of this photo but, as all rock art enthusiasts know, prehistoric rock art and light are friend and foe on equal terms! Beware the fury of a patient man.

Image credit: Annexus Quamm
Image of As Laghoas / P. Minas (Cup and Ring Marks / Rock Art) by Annexus Quamm

As Laghoas / P. Minas

Cup and Ring Marks / Rock Art

One of many prehistoric designs distributed all over four panels, even though various undiscovered sections may still lie hidden under the turf. Indeed, some of these designs have only seen the light in recent years. The rock art complex is dominated by an imposing stone tor, one of many tors around Mount Xiabre (648 m) sheltering dozens of other rock art sites still being discovered as we speak.

Image credit: Annexus Quamm