Our European Adventure

The Aborigenes Canarios

CharliExplores6 Comments

Our third day out we happened upon Aborigenes Canarios – Gran Canaria’s archeological park. It just looked like a small museum from the parking lot, but ended up being pretty extensive and interesting. We were told that it would take about an hour and that would have been about right if you didn’t bother to read the plaques along the way or take pictures. We on the other hand did all of that and spent nearly 2 1/2 hours learning about the first civilizations of Gran Canaria.

As you can see, the site is high in the mountains overlooking the sea.
As you can see, the site is high in the mountains overlooking the sea.

 

The first settlers in the Canary Islands came between 2000 to 3000 BC probably from Africa. The museum is a combination of reconstruction and the actual  archeological site of one of the early civilizations.

Plaques provided and explanation of each exhibit.
Plaques provided and explanation of each exhibit.
Each individual has a job and they worked together to ensure the survival of the group.
Each individual has a job and they worked together to ensure the survival of the group.
Women and men shared equal status, but there was a definite hierarchy from the elite ruling class to the peasants.
Women and men shared equal status, but there was a definite hierarchy from the elite ruling class to the peasants.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goats were raised and were a mainstay of the people. They provided milk, meat, clothing, weapons, tools… you name it. They used every part of the animal for something.

This guy was pretty entertaining.
This guy is alive and pretty entertaining.
Caves were abundant throughout the area. Some were used as homes and others as burial grounds.
Caves were abundant throughout the area. Some were used as homes and others as burial grounds.
The rugged tenacity of these plants always amazes me. Despite the winds and arid soil they thrive and are beautiful!
The rugged tenacity of desert plants always amazes me. Despite the winds and arid soil they thrive and are beautiful!
Rugged and breathtaking.
Rugged and breathtaking.

I find it fascinating learning about early civilizations – how they survived, lived, developed and all without the internet – go figure.

This was a fun outing and we thoroughly enjoyed the day.

 

 

6 thoughts on “The Aborigenes Canarios”

  1. Fascinating that the goat was used much as the Native American Indian used the buffalo.- no waste. Was there any agriculture to speak of in the area? The pottery and basketry examples were beautiful. Life in this rugged area must have presented an abundance of challenges! I’m certainly enjoying this vicarious vacation! Hope you continue to enjoy your adventure!

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  3. I totally just posted a comment on your blog, but that in no way implies that I’m speaking to you. For those of you followers out there that read the comments, my mother totally didn’t call to say goodbye before this trip and screened my phone call when I tried to call her. Apparently she has moved on from being a mother and now is just a world traveler extraordinaire!!! La di da…

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    • You said you would call before we left and I waited and waited with no results… heavy sigh. I’m the injured party here. But to be fair, my phone has been acting up and I didn’t get the call. We’re getting new phones when we get home.
      I love you very much,

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