Cuevo de Junquillo

[TamaraEnLaPlaya]

from Radio Sintonia:

Surveys begin to establish the historical importance of a cave that in 2019 suffered an "illegal intervention"

The Cabildo of Fuerteventura,through the area of Historical Heritage, directed by Rayco León, has begun an archaeological excavation in a cave located on the beach of Junquillo, in the municipality of Betancuria, in order to clarify its cultural importance. As a result of an illegal intervention alerted by a citizen, in 2019 malacological remains (consumption of seafood), remains of ashes from bonfires and a fragment belonging to the pottery of after the conquest were discovered.

 

According to data from the Cultural Heritage Service of the Cabildo,the works could determine to which stage the occupation of the cave belongs, an issue that can only be resolved with an authorized archaeological intervention.

The counselor of the area, Rayco León, explains that "it is necessary to carry out the pertinent actions to clarify the cultural importance of the cave, in view of its possible incorporation into the Insular Archaeological Inventory and its protection as an archaeological site".

As a result of the unauthorized plundering, the floor of the cave has been affected by illegal excavations, with two tastings of an approximate depth of 60 centimeters and more than one square meter, appreciating the presence of the aforementioned materials

The works will include the elaboration of the previous technical project, the archaeological surveys and the chronological dating of the extracted material. An informative video will also be disseminated to raise awareness among citizens about the danger of this type of plundering of elements of Fuerteventura's heritage.

León adds that, "we must protect our heritage, as an essential good that we all take care of", recalling that, in the case of finding this type of materials, the citizen must give notice to the Cultural Heritage service of the Island Corporation, through the telephone 928 86 24 51, without touching or manipulating the find, to avoid the loss of scientific value.
Recently, the Cabildo presented the results of an excavation developed in a cave of Punta Caletones, in the same municipality, which allowed to determine the use of the space since the XII-XIII century A.C D. as a space for seafood processing, as well as a place for a subsequent punctual burial.

[TamaraEnLaPlaya]

from Diario:

The Cabildo of Fuerteventura, through the area of Historical Heritage, directed by Rayco León, has completed the archaeological work begun at the beginning of this month of November in a cave located on the beach of Junquillo, in the municipality of Betancuria. The surveys have been carried out in order to clarify the cultural importance of the cave and determine to which stage the materials found belong. Based on the first results, archaeological work seems to finally confirm the presence of materials from pre-European times.

The archaeological works were awarded to the company Arenisca. Archaeology and Heritage, finding remains of ceramics with decoration characteristic of the aboriginal culture, as well as beads plates made with shells, also typical of the mahos.
According to Tarek Suleiman, of the company Arenisca, once these first discoveries have been obtained, we will proceed to wait for the Carbon 14 dates and the analysis of the archaeological materials obtained, in what at first seems to be a space used for food processing.
However, the remains of ceramics found are not the usual ones in this type of deposits, appreciating a ceramic of smaller dimensions, so its possible use is not ruled out not only for food processing, but also as a habitat.
The site of the cave on the beach of Junquillo was discovered in 2019 as a result of an illegal intervention alerted by a citizen. At that time malacological remains (seafood consumption), bonfire ashes and ceramic remains were discovered. The works have been able to determine to which stage the occupation of the cave belongs.
As a result of the plundering, the floor of the cave has been affected by illegal excavations, with two tastings of an approximate depth of 60 centimeters and more than one square meter, appreciating the presence of the aforementioned materials.
For the counselor of the area, Rayco León, "it is essential to protect our heritage, an essential good that we must all take care of. In this sense, the island manager recalls that, in the case of finding this type of materials, it is necessary to give notice to the Cultural Heritage service, through the telephone 928 86 24 51, or failing that to the Civil Guard (SEPRONA), Agents of Environment of the Cabildo or municipal Police. It is important not to touch or manipulate the finding, in order to avoid the loss of scientific value.
Within the project of surveys of this cave, the dissemination of an informative video is included to raise awareness among citizens about the danger of this type of plundering in elements of the heritage of Fuerteventura.