Archaeologists are uncovering Lanzarote’s past

Archaeologists have discovered what could be the oldest water cistern on Lanzarote at the ancient settlement of El Bebedero.

Situated in the north of Teguise near Tiagua, the El Bebedero site has been known about for 40 years, but recent excavations are unearthing more and more information about Lanzarote’s distant past.

The site would have been home to several families, who would have lived and slept in “deep houses” constructed in hollows in the earth. Its location would have been ideal, with access to vegetation and water, and a good view of El Río, the strait between Lanzarote and La Graciosa.

The cistern, or water deposit, was discovered at the start of a recent excavation, and is roughly a metre and a half in diameter. It is made of stone slabs and hardened earth, and clear attempts have been made to seal it with clay.

Pablo Atoche, the professor in charge of the dig, claims that it is “the first time a water deposit has been identified at an aboriginal site,” while geographer Antonio Bueno believes that the location of the deposit indicates that the water was used for human use, rather than for livestock.

El Bebedero has also offered up plenty of evidence of contact and trade between islanders and Roman visitors. Roman amphorae have been found at the site which would have been used to transport wine, oil and salted fish, and experts believe they traded these goods for water, meat and animal hides.

Polished cutting implements used for tanning the hides, which were important for warmth and to make tools such as bags and water containers, have also been found on the site, while other items of clearly overseas provenance, such as iron, copper and bronze implements and glass beads have also been located.

Native pottery has also been discovered, alongside traces of animals such as limpets, green ormers, fish, birds, dogs, goats, sheep and pigs.

Carbon dating has revealed that all these items would have been used in a period between the 1st century BC and the 4th century AD.